Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge (CVNWR) in Tucker County, West Virginia
is the 500th National Wildlife Refuge
(NWR) to be established in the USA. The refuge preserves a moist valley with unique wetlands and uplands at a relatively high elevation in the Allegheny Mountains
. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
began as early as 1961. In the 1970s, environmental and citizens groups battled with Allegheny Power Systems (APS) – which had owned more than 13000 acres (52.6 km²) of Canaan Valley since 1923 – over construction of a long-anticipated hydroelectric facility
that would have flooded about a quarter of the valley. In 1977, the Federal Power Commission
issued a license to APS for construction of a pumped storage hydroelectric project, formally known as the Davis Power Project (DPP). However, the following year the DPP was denied a Clean Water Act
(CWA) permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps' decision cited adverse impacts upon the Valley's wetlands, a relatively new concept at the time.
Canaan Valley NWR was initially approved following an Environmental Impact Statement
on May 30, 1979. APS appealed the Corps' decision all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1988 declined to hear the case, thus clearing the way for creation of the refuge. About 86 acres (348,030 m²) were purchased in the valley to establish the Refuge on July 11, 1994. Another 12,000 acres (48 km²) were purchased from APS in 2002. With other additions — most recently 120 acres in 2008 and 325 acres (1 km²) in 2011 — the Refuge now encompasses some 16628 acres (67 km²) of a total authorized size of 25459 acres (103 km²). This represents almost 70% of the Valley's 25000 acres (101.2 km²).
, raccoon
, geese and squirrel
are readily observable; mink
, bobcat
, black bear
and barred owl
s are infrequently spotted. Beaver
s manipulate water levels by dam-building. Prominent game birds include woodcock
, wild turkey
and ruffed grouse
. The area is also an important habitat for many decreasing species of North American birds, including the bobolink
, clay-colored sparrow
, Henslow's sparrow
, northern saw-whet owl
, and the cerulean warbler
. Brook trout
, a native species, have been joined by introduced species of trout
and bass
.
The Refuge maintains 31 miles (49.9 km) of designated trails, including: for pedestrian use for bicycle use for horseback use
The Refuge also maintains 7 miles (11.3 km) of roads for licenced vehicles to provide public access.
Tucker County, West Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,321 people, 3,052 households, and 2,121 families residing in the county. The population density was 18 people per square mile . There were 4,634 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile...
is the 500th National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
(NWR) to be established in the USA. The refuge preserves a moist valley with unique wetlands and uplands at a relatively high elevation in the Allegheny Mountains
Allegheny Mountains
The Allegheny Mountain Range , also spelled Alleghany, Allegany and, informally, the Alleghenies, is part of the vast Appalachian Mountain Range of the eastern United States and Canada...
. It is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS).
History
Advocacy for the establishment of a NWR in Canaan ValleyCanaan Valley
Canaan Valley is an oval, bowl-like upland valley in northeastern Tucker County, West Virginia, USA. Within it are extensive wetlands and the headwaters of the Blackwater River which spills out of the valley at Blackwater Falls...
began as early as 1961. In the 1970s, environmental and citizens groups battled with Allegheny Power Systems (APS) – which had owned more than 13000 acres (52.6 km²) of Canaan Valley since 1923 – over construction of a long-anticipated hydroelectric facility
Hydroelectricity
Hydroelectricity is the term referring to electricity generated by hydropower; the production of electrical power through the use of the gravitational force of falling or flowing water. It is the most widely used form of renewable energy...
that would have flooded about a quarter of the valley. In 1977, the Federal Power Commission
Federal Power Commission
The Federal Power Commission was an independent commission of the United States government, originally organized on June 23, 1930, with five members nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate...
issued a license to APS for construction of a pumped storage hydroelectric project, formally known as the Davis Power Project (DPP). However, the following year the DPP was denied a Clean Water Act
Clean Water Act
The Clean Water Act is the primary federal law in the United States governing water pollution. Commonly abbreviated as the CWA, the act established the goals of eliminating releases of high amounts of toxic substances into water, eliminating additional water pollution by 1985, and ensuring that...
(CWA) permit by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps' decision cited adverse impacts upon the Valley's wetlands, a relatively new concept at the time.
Canaan Valley NWR was initially approved following an Environmental Impact Statement
Environmental impact statement
An environmental impact statement , under United States environmental law, is a document required by the National Environmental Policy Act for certain actions "significantly affecting the quality of the human environment". An EIS is a tool for decision making...
on May 30, 1979. APS appealed the Corps' decision all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in 1988 declined to hear the case, thus clearing the way for creation of the refuge. About 86 acres (348,030 m²) were purchased in the valley to establish the Refuge on July 11, 1994. Another 12,000 acres (48 km²) were purchased from APS in 2002. With other additions — most recently 120 acres in 2008 and 325 acres (1 km²) in 2011 — the Refuge now encompasses some 16628 acres (67 km²) of a total authorized size of 25459 acres (103 km²). This represents almost 70% of the Valley's 25000 acres (101.2 km²).
Wildlife
The combination of wet soils, forests, shrub lands and open lands throughout the Refuge allows a diversity of wildlife habitats. White-tailed deerWhite-tailed Deer
The white-tailed deer , also known as the Virginia deer or simply as the whitetail, is a medium-sized deer native to the United States , Canada, Mexico, Central America, and South America as far south as Peru...
, raccoon
Raccoon
Procyon is a genus of nocturnal mammals, comprising three species commonly known as raccoons, in the family Procyonidae. The most familiar species, the common raccoon , is often known simply as "the" raccoon, as the two other raccoon species in the genus are native only to the tropics and are...
, geese and squirrel
Squirrel
Squirrels belong to a large family of small or medium-sized rodents called the Sciuridae. The family includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels, chipmunks, marmots , flying squirrels, and prairie dogs. Squirrels are indigenous to the Americas, Eurasia, and Africa and have been introduced to Australia...
are readily observable; mink
Mink
There are two living species referred to as "mink": the European Mink and the American Mink. The extinct Sea Mink is related to the American Mink, but was much larger. All three species are dark-colored, semi-aquatic, carnivorous mammals of the family Mustelidae, which also includes the weasels and...
, bobcat
Bobcat
The bobcat is a North American mammal of the cat family Felidae, appearing during the Irvingtonian stage of around 1.8 million years ago . With twelve recognized subspecies, it ranges from southern Canada to northern Mexico, including most of the continental United States...
, black bear
American black bear
The American black bear is a medium-sized bear native to North America. It is the continent's smallest and most common bear species. Black bears are omnivores, with their diets varying greatly depending on season and location. They typically live in largely forested areas, but do leave forests in...
and barred owl
Barred Owl
The Barred Owl is a large typical owl. It goes by many other names, including eight hooter, rain owl, wood owl, and striped owl, but is probably best known as the hoot owl.-Description:...
s are infrequently spotted. Beaver
Beaver
The beaver is a primarily nocturnal, large, semi-aquatic rodent. Castor includes two extant species, North American Beaver and Eurasian Beaver . Beavers are known for building dams, canals, and lodges . They are the second-largest rodent in the world...
s manipulate water levels by dam-building. Prominent game birds include woodcock
Woodcock
The woodcocks are a group of seven or eight very similar living species of wading birds in the genus Scolopax. Only two woodcocks are widespread, the others being localized island endemics. Most are found in the Northern Hemisphere but a few range into Wallacea...
, wild turkey
Wild Turkey
The Wild Turkey is native to North America and is the heaviest member of the Galliformes. It is the same species as the domestic turkey, which derives from the South Mexican subspecies of wild turkey .Adult wild turkeys have long reddish-yellow to grayish-green...
and ruffed grouse
Ruffed Grouse
The Ruffed Grouse is a medium-sized grouse occurring in forests from the Appalachian Mountains across Canada to Alaska. It is non-migratory.The Ruffed Grouse is frequently referred to as a "partridge"...
. The area is also an important habitat for many decreasing species of North American birds, including the bobolink
Bobolink
The Bobolink is a small New World blackbird and the only member of genus Dolichonyx.-Description:Adults are 16–18 cm long with short finch-like bills. They weigh about . Adult males are mostly black, although they do display creamy napes, and white scapulars, lower backs and rumps...
, clay-colored sparrow
Clay-colored Sparrow
The Clay-colored Sparrow is a small sparrow of North America.-Overview:Adults have light brown upperparts and pale underparts, with darker streaks on the back. They have a pale crown stripe on a dark brown crown, a white line over the eyes, a dark line through the eyes, a light brown cheek patch...
, Henslow's sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow
Henslow's Sparrow, Ammodramus henslowii, is a small American sparrow.Adults have streaked brown upperparts with a light brown breast with streaks, a white belly and a white throat...
, northern saw-whet owl
Northern Saw-whet Owl
The Northern Saw-whet Owl is a small owl native to North America.-Description:The scientific description of one of the sub-species of this owl is attributed to the Rev. John Henry Keen who was a missionary in Canada in 1896. Adults are long with a wingspan. They can weigh from with an average...
, and the cerulean warbler
Cerulean Warbler
The Cerulean Warbler, Dendroica cerulea, is a small songbird of the New World warbler family.-Description:Adult males have pale cerulean blue upperparts and white underparts with a black necklace across the breast; they also have black streaks on the back and flanks...
. Brook trout
Brook trout
The brook trout, Salvelinus fontinalis, is a species of fish in the salmon family of order Salmoniformes. In many parts of its range, it is known as the speckled trout or squaretail. A potamodromous population in Lake Superior are known as coaster trout or, simply, as coasters...
, a native species, have been joined by introduced species of trout
Trout
Trout is the name for a number of species of freshwater and saltwater fish belonging to the Salmoninae subfamily of the family Salmonidae. Salmon belong to the same family as trout. Most salmon species spend almost all their lives in salt water...
and bass
Bass (fish)
Bass is a name shared by many different species of popular gamefish. The term encompasses both freshwater and marine species. All belong to the large order Perciformes, or perch-like fishes, and in fact the word bass comes from Middle English bars, meaning "perch."-Types of basses:*The temperate...
.
Recreation and access
Facilitated refuge activities include wildlife-dependent recreation such as wildlife observation and photography, hunting, fishing, hiking, environmental education, and nature programs.The Refuge maintains 31 miles (49.9 km) of designated trails, including: for pedestrian use for bicycle use for horseback use
The Refuge also maintains 7 miles (11.3 km) of roads for licenced vehicles to provide public access.
Other sources
- Freshwater Institute and West Virginia Audubon Council (n.d. [but 1980s]), The Canaan Valley: A National Treasure, 12 minute educational film. (This film was produced to promote the Refuge prior to its establishment and is still shown in modified form.)