The Jackson River Preservation Association (JRPA) met for its annual meeting at Lang and Bill Wilson’s cabin on the Jackson River on Saturday, Aug. 14, 2021. Almost 50 people showed up for the event.
The evening started with a stream monitoring demonstration, put on by JRPA members John Feldenzer and Puggy Farmer.
Both men went into the Jackson River with a seine and turned over rocks and captured “bugs” from the bottom of the river. They brought the “bugs” out of the water and counted them, using a microscope for the smallest ones, so the health of the river could be determined.
So far, according to John Feldenzer, chairman of the “Stream Monitoring Committee,” the river is healthy. The crowd was fascinated by the process.
“Supper Down South” was then served, consisting of delicious dishes brought by the members and guests.
After the meal, JRPA president, Bill Wilson, conducted the business part of the meeting. The “Agenda” was as follows:
— Atlantic Coast Pipeline Defeat — Wilson recalled that when JRPA started fighting the pipeline in 2014, many did not think the odds of our winning were good.
“Dominion had so much money and political power and the support of then-Governor Terry McAuliffe,” Wilson said. “The fight went on for years but through the efforts of an organization called ABRA (Allegheny-Blue Ridge Alliance), and the enormous legal help of the Southern Environmental Law Center, the battle was won.”
“Now, Dominion has the job of restoring the right-of-way and dealing with the landowners from whom it acquired right-of-ways. Dominion proposes to leave the pipe in the ground in West Virginia and leaving the trees it cut laying in Virginia. The JRPA, as a member of ABRA, is still involved in those deliberations,” Wilson said.
— The Pulses — Since about 2013, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), has been releasing 3.500 cubic feet per second (cfs), once a month, starting in June and ending in October, each year, to flush out algae, and other undesirable matter, below WestRock. The idea is to scow the streambed and flush the material downstream. Periodically, according to fish biologist, Steve Reeser; of the Department of Wildlife Resources (DWR), who was present at the meeting with his wife, Becky, there are ongoing meetings between DWR, the USACE, the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and WestRock to talk about the “pulses” and how they should be conducted.
He said, so far, the fish population, mostly Brown and Rainbow Trout, is in good condition.
Wilson said he is getting complaints about “erosion” issues.
“Some landowners, and river floaters, talk about trees falling in the water and damage to riverbanks because of the repeated surges of water. They say the river cannot recover fast enough between ‘pulses’ and the banks are eroding,” Wilson said.
Reeser said the benefits and detriments of the “pulses” are regularly discussed and he invited input from the JRPA.
Wilson invited Reeser to float with him down the Jackson River below WestRock to observe conditions. Wilson said he and JRPA member, John Stone, had floated the river recently and had good fishing.
Wilson said he is concerned with the amount of grass growing in the river but Reeser said that was a good thing. Wilson invited Reeser to attend a JRPA board meeting to discuss the subject.
— Impaired River — The Jackson River below WestRock has been declared an “Impaired River” and DEQ is in the process of trying to change that situation. The JRPA is participating in the effort and Wilson has been appointed by DEQ to its “Technical Committee.”
Wilson said that he had submitted comments to DEQ and would report to JRPA members as the study goes forward. Wilson said all local governing bodies had been asked to participate in the study, along with WestRock and other stakeholders.
— Lake Moomaw Facilities – Wilson said that JRPA member Bill Uzzell, a well-known fisherman, approached him about the dilapidated condition of Lake Moomaw facilities.
Bouys were out of place, some missing, and many were poorly marked. In addition, docking bumpers were missing or in poor repair and there were other problems.
Wilson said he recently met with USFS Ranger Theresa Tanner and JRPA member Dick Brooks to discuss the problems.
“The USFS has the responsibility for managing the recreational facilities at Lake Moomaw. Although a number of problems have not been resolved, the USFS is addressing those problems and I am optimistic that in due course the lake facilities will be back in proper order,” Wilson said.
— Gas Spill — Wilson and Stone went to the scene of a gas tanker wreck near Mustoe in Highland County where gasoline was spilled into the Jackson River. There were dead fish found by DWR and DEQ but the damage was not extensive, Wilson said.
— Nominating Committee — John Stone reported to the group regarding his Nominating Committee’s recommendations. He had been charged by Wilson with finding a new JRPA president but the committee did not come up with one.
Wilson said, “I have been president of this organization since its inception in 2013 and it is time for a new president. Please keep looking. I am enjoying this job. It is my passion but we need new people coming on.”
Wilson was re-elected president. The new members of the board of directors are: Terry Cronk, John Feldenzer, John Stone, Puggy Farmer, Tad Robertson, Mike Whiteside, Nancy Wolfe, Whitman Ellis, Greg Brelsford, Debra Bolt, Lang Wilson.
Karen Feldenzer retired as treasurer of JRPA after much good service. The crowd gave her a hearty round of applause. In her place, Debra Bolt was elected treasurer.
Lang Wilson will continue to serve as secretary of the organization.