The Dominion Post
21 July 2000
By Evelyn Ryan
A drive to have Congress add recreation as a formal responsibility of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers gained county support on Thursday.
Monongalia County Commissioners unanimously endorsed a resolution supporting longer hours at the Opekiska and Hildebrand locks and calling on Congress to consider river community economic development and recreation in setting Corps priorities.
The same resolution will go before Morgantown Council's committee-of-the-whole for discussion on July 25.
Upper Monongahela Committee for Better Boating decided to add elected muscle to its campaign for the river by taking resolutions to the commission and council.
"I think it's wonderful," said Don Strimbeck, a member of the committee, on hearing of the commission's action. "I would hope that City Council members will agree."
He's working with Morgantown Council Member Ron Justice to bring the issue before council, and plans to speak with Star City Mayor Edith Barill.
Morgantown has spent millions creating Hazel Ruby McQuain Riverfront Park and, working with Star City and Mon Trails Conservancy, in developing the rail-trail.
Star City has an attractive riverfront park at the foot of University Avenue, with a boat loading area and a dock to take on passengers, as well as a fishing dock.
They would benefit if Congress would change the law to include recreation and river community economic development in the Corps of Engineers mandate.
The Upper Monongahela River Committee is especially concerned about access to the upper reaches of the river from here to Fairmont.
Boaters can use the Morgantown Lock 24 hours a day, but the Opekiska and Hildebrand locks are only available from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. That doesn't give pleasure boaters time to make a round trip to Fairmont.
Strimbeck said the committee knows its going to take from one to three years to accomplish anything. "Nothing is going to happen on lock hours this year," he said, pointing to the November elections.
"The Upper Mon Committee for Better Boating realizes we're in this for the long haul," he said. "We have to get through the election, but we can at least get this problem fixed in the minds of our Congressional folks in Washington. It's a nationwide problem."
The resolution points out the growth and demand for recreation and tourism, and their role in the state's economy.
He said the committee has an easier job than the folks who are developing the rail-trail. "All we have to do is get Congress to add a little bit of money to keep these locks open," he said.
Knowing they can get through after 4 p.m. will bring boaters from as far away as Pittsburgh, he said. "They will not make the trip down here once they check the Corps of Engineers Web site and find the locks are only open day shift."