Sisters Of The River

June 3, 2000 ~

Thirteen years ago, a community of 52 landowners along with their children and relatives ( approx. 350-400 permanent residents and seasonal residents) along a country road, WV state route 26, commonly called New River Road, were promised a much needed "upgrade" of this state route to that of a "two-lane roadway".

The existing road contains blind curve areas, had pot holes big enough to swallow up heavy equipment, high bank areas were two cars passing at the same time cannot occur safety, and is frequently bombarded by high water from mountain run-off from heavy rains and snows, as well as frequent mudslides and fallen trees on the road itself

The residents and landowners knew of these "inconveniences" yet still choose to live and own the land along the roadway for the lifestyle that it DID provide - that of peacefulness and tranquility. However, rumors started and promises began being made of the "upgrading" along with a suspension/expansion bridge to be placed from the 1-64 exit at Sandstone, WV to connect with the State Route 26. Such "upgrading" would result in the best of two worlds! It would allow for increased safety for the landowners and residents, as well as for the frequent visitors to the Sandstone Falls Recreation area. It would also allow for faster access to work, shopping, emergency health care and an increase for the local economy as a result of "projected" increase of visitors to the area. Of these benefits and promises made was this one: THAT PRIVATE LANDS WOULD BE PROTECTED .... THAT THEY WOULD SEE ONLY MINIMAL IMPACT! Therefore, public support was obtained from the landowners along New River Road!

Senator Robert C. Byrd "saw to it" that monies were appropriated, and legislation was passed to create the New River Parkway Authority. Little did the landowners know that the terminology of "Parkway" was to change their lives from one of a quiet lifestyle into the biggest battle of their lives!

Over the years several Environmental Impact Studies were done and all rejected. The landowners quit going to the meetings due to feelings of apathy.. they no longer truly felt that such an "upgrade" was ever going to occur. It did not! In May of 1998, a Draft Environmental Impact Study was released, a public meeting was held and followed by a comment period. At this time, the same promises were in place, and once again, the landowners supported the Proposed Project". However, all of that changed and quite suddenly as of September 9, 1999. This was the day of another public meeting that announced the Preferred Alternative Report. In this report, it was made very clear that all the promises would not be kept! The report stated that as a result of a Memorandum of Understand (MOU) held by the WV Department of Highways (WVD0H), The National Park Service, The Fish and Wildlife, the Endangered Species, and the Division of Natural Resources as well as the Environmental Protection Agencies of which not one single landowner was even aware or invited .... that the preferred alternative would require the land acquisition of all the land from the road to the river, and eventually the toe of the mountain, and that any and all willing seller rights were dissolved!!!

What started out as an "upgrade" of a pretty much single lane country road, turned into a Scenic Parkway .. that wanted the lands so described, for "its scenic value and river access"!!!! Us the landowners were to be "displaced", (thrown off our lands for future generations!!)

Sure promises were made for relocation to "lands of equal value", of which there are none!!! My land is priceless to me! For that matter, the NPS is gobbling up all lands along any river in this area .... and yes, they are now all either nominated for the Wild and Scenic Rivers, are, or for the American Heritage Rivers So, how are they going to "replace" our lands?

Well, we are fighting and fighting hard. I stay on this computer morning, noon and night LEARNING!! I have learned that Conservation Easements are nothing less than "glorified highway robbery"! And that a willing seller right won't exist if my land is federally regulated to death!

I have learned of the Sunshine Act, and Freedom of Information, of the legal terms of collusion, and we have even contacted Janet Reno on this because of a letter from Marie Rust to Robert C. Byrd--basically stated that this proposed parkway was never intended to be "just an upgrade". I have learned of land patents/grants, I have learned of the treaties made and the highest Law of the Land ... and so much more.

We, the land owners along state route 26--New River Road have been bombarded by self-interest groups hoping to cash in on the promises of increased economic incomes--jobs --- and called trash, had members of the New River Parkway Authority address our local county commissioners and swear that there are no permanent residents along this road, only campers, trailers and the like, as well as the existing road being only a "red-dog" road anyway, we have been called selfish and not willing to help and told to be good citizens of "our community" .... and told that we would all be considered HEROES AND HEROINES ---- Please!

We are poorly organized as there are still many that think "nothing is really ever going to happen", and/or those that feel "you can't fight the federal government" .... yet there are a few of us that call ourselves the "Sisters of the River" and we have managed to get the WVDOH to realize that by law, they can only build a road and acquire only land needed for the construction and eminence of that road and not for its scenic value or river access! Therefore, we had this statement from them..."The WVDOH no longer supports all the land acquisitions proposed for the preferred alternative ... all the land from the road to the river and from the toe of the mountain".... A good win, yet this battle is far from over - considering CARA and The EPA's TMDL Rule we must continue to spend morning, noon, and night to keep our homes and life style that has been a part of this community for two hundred years!

In a letter to Senator Robert C. Byrd, Marie Rust, National Park Service Regional 3 Director, wrote they wanted to take my house because it DOES NOT MEET SCENIC VALUE

I have lived the American Dream, from a 15 year old with a stroke paralyzed father on $40 a month to support a family of five, to the ability to have a summer home on the New River in Hinton West Virginia.

I am a Sister of the River.  This is my story.

A "Mystery Tour" from Huntington (West Virginia) took my husband and me to an unknown destination on an Amtrak train trip "to view the Fall foliage in the valley of the New River Gorge".  Our destination, we learned only after we boarded, was Hinton, West Virginia.  Little did  I know how that trip was to change my life!

We were in awe of the "humbleness" of the people we met in Hinton (WV) that day.  But, imagine my shock when my WORKaholic husband insisted we return to Hinton to buy property.  We didn't HAVE TIME to loaf!  But, with coat in hand, I went along for the 3-1/2 hour car ride, thinking "This I gotta see"!

He even went so far as to say he'd like to retire there!  ("Un-huh, when donkeys fly?", I thought)

We arrived in Hinton, toured the area, then turned down a small one lane dangerous road immediately adjacent the New River. I was scared to death on that road!!  In some places along that road, we seemed to be hanging over the ledge and I could glance out and look right into the river!  All I wanted was OUT OF THERE!

One week later, I owned a small one bedroom cabin on stilts between that same dangerous road and the New River!! The owner said there had been plans to fix the road and showed me records that the road would have little impact to private property and lie gently on the land, but admitted that the people were wondering if they'd EVER get that road fixed. I purchased the cabin knowing about, and having reviewed, all the documentation on the proposed "parkway".

Lots of  nights, I stood high on the porch of that cabin and watched a big full moon coming over the mountain beaming down on the white water in front of our land. It was one of the most gorgeous sites I'd ever seen yet,  I'd look up and ask, "Lord, WHAT am I doing here!?"  I just wanted to go back to Ohio where my 8 grandchildren were. 

I found a way to have the best of BOTH WORLDS.  I took those grandchildren with me when I could. (Visualize that, if you can, in that one bedroom cabin!  :-)  Needless to say, we needed more room on the New River!  So, the WORKaholic grandpa, drew a house plan then handed me the pencil  and "granny" put in the plans, plenty of room for those Ohio grandchildren.

We talked to the planning coordinator of the New River Parkway Authority, seeking his advice, and was told: "GO AHEAD, BUILD!!"  (We did and call it "Riversong".)

BAM!!  It hit!!  "A meeting will be held for the public on 9/9/99......" We're taking your land and giving it to the National Park Service. Respectfully, West Virginia Department of Highways.

And today, 16 months after that notice, I look into the eyes of those 8 grandchildren and think, "Thank you, Lord!  NOW I know what I'm doing there! This can't happen in America!"

My land patent #2717 is prominently displayed on the back entrance of my
house on New River Road in Hinton, West Virginia: (proposed parkway route that promised 16 years to "fix" the road but is now going to take my home because is "does not meet scenic value").  My land patent, dated 1841, issued to Adam Bragg, assured him that this land would his, his heirs, and assigns FOREVER.  (Did our government mean by that contract, FOREVER ONLY UNTIL the National Park Service wants the land?)



Ann Roach
Charter Member: Sisters of the River
Hinton WV

Sheila Davis
PO Box 202
Jumping Branch, WV 25969

Phone: (304) 466-3676
Fax: same.. picks up on x4 ring
E-Mail: country357@stargate.net

Ann Roach
P. O. Box 233
Hinton, WV 25951
E-Mail: annroach2@earthlink.net

          
Ann Roachs' Letter to www.street.mail on Socialism