WV DNR Will Strategize on How to Restore Dunkard Creek
West Virginia Public Broadcasting
28 December 2009
By Ben Adducchio
The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources will be working in
upcoming months to develop a strategy to increase the number of minnows
and small fish in Dunkard Creek, in Monongalia County.
A massive fish kill last September emptied the creek of water life.
The smaller fish will provide food for larger fish once they are
eventually re-introduced to Dunkard Creek.
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Biologist Frank Jernejcic
says the DNR is waiting to see how Consol Energy meets new requirements
to regulate their discharges and build treatment plants before the plan
to re-stock the creek can move forward.
“The bottom line is, is the water quality going to be suitable,”
Jernejcic said.
“I understand they are going to be monitoring the stream for water
chemistry,” he said, “until we see what’s happening in April, when they
have to have their plan, we really won’t be able to respond to
anything.”
Jernejcic says in time, minnows and small fish will travel back to
Dunkard on their own.
He says the DNR cannot actually stock forage fish.
But the DNR can relocate some into the creek.