Groundwork Guyandotte

Southern West Virginia

Brownfields Revitalization Project

Kenneth Goode

Project Coordinator

Summer 2014

Introduction

Groundwork Wyoming County (GWWC) is a nonprofit organization in Wyoming County that is working towards the revitalization of Wyoming County through increasing recreational opportunities, redeveloping underutilized land and Brownfields, implementing environmental education and job training programs, developing strategic partnerships, and empowering communities and individuals.

Groundwork Wyoming County (GWWC), recently reorganized to Groundwork Guyandotte Southern West Virginia, is part of the Groundwork USA network that consists of 20 Groundwork Trust across the country. Groundwork Guyandotte is the first rural trust in the network. Groundwork Guyandotte Southern West Virginia’s mission is to:

“Bring about sustained regeneration, improvement, and management of the physical environment by developing community-based partnerships which empower people, businesses, and organizations to promote environmental, economic, and social well-being.”

Project Summary

In 1916, the Pocahontas Fuel Company constructed 120 dwellings near the mouth of Barkers Creek on the Guyandotte River. The Itmann mine was opened in 1918 by the Pocahontas Fuel Company (now CONSOL). It was named after the president of the company, Isaac T. Mann, I.T. Mann, which was eventually shortened to “Itmann.” A two-room schoolhouse was built in addition to the massive stone company store in 1917. After construction of a larger school, the two room building became the “colored” school for the coal camp. Around 1956, with the push toward integration, the school was converted into the United Mine Workers Association (UMWA) union hall. The UMWA returned the building to the Wyoming County Board of Education and it is currently be occupied by Groundwork. This is a potential new multi-use renovation as office space for Groundwork Guyandotte; and as an interpretive stop by the Coal Heritage Highway Authority.

This project seeks to provide a framework for the revitalization of the town of Itmann, West Virginia by identifying specific resources to consider in planning for the future of the community; and by facilitating a discussion of potential opportunities for Itmann. Address the community’s vision for broader redevelopment efforts in the town of Itmann. Develop a community revitalization plan for the Old Itmann School. Address actions required to obtain the specified end-use as office space for GWWC, as well as space for cultural/historic interpretive displays and tourism information.

The Horse Creek Lake (formerly Lake Marlon) area functioned for many years as a center of community recreation and a regional recreational destination. The park offered swimming, fishing, camping and family gathering space. A convenience store was located nearby and the owners used to maintain property, check fish, sell bait and other products. A former Boy Scout camp was located in the southeast corner of the property and a road provided access. Swimming docks, boardwalks, and fishing piers were a part of the camp. Life guards were present and facilities were open to the public. The lake and woodland has changed over time, because of upstream timber operations, the southeast and western areas silted in with sediment. A beaver dam also changed the hydrology of the area. It was common to see illegal dumping in this area. Multiple clean ups, led by community members, have been performed over the years.

The current management is administered by the West Virginia Department Natural Resources (WVDNR) maintaining the area as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA). It is primarily used for fishing. The DNR keeps the dam clear of brush/trees (mows annually). There are limitations for future development as defined through meetings with DNR: no structures (e.g., picnic), except potentially fishing docks, no camping, and no trash cans (requires maintenance and attracts bears). Opportunities for future development include: potential wastewater facilities, trail restoration – restore trail around lake, education – interpretive kiosks, annual and seasonal events, and long-term/seasonal education projects.

The goal of the project is to enhance recreation and education opportunities at the Lake while remediating any environmental hazards that are present. Currently, Groundwork Guyandotte, WVDNR, WVU Landscape Architecture and community members are working together to implement the Horse Creek Lake Revitalization Project.

Brownfield Site #1

The condition of the property at the new Groundwork office/museum building is acceptable but there needs an infrastructure connection to water and sewage and there needs to be a swale and raingarden constructed adjacent to a private property for water conveyance and filtering from a steep mountain behind the building. The existing structure that is currently being remodeled into a visitor’s center/museum could use professional support for the historic/heritage preservation process. Groundwork Guyandotte is currently making arrangements to work with the Preservation Alliance of West Virginia to receive support in these specialized building construction practices. Also Groundwork Guyandotte is making arrangements to use the building as an environmental education and heritage interpretation site.

Brownfield Site #2

Across highway 10/16 from the Groundwork office is an area that has potential to be reused as a roadside park with river access via a fishing dock and river trail. The site has an important interpretive value describing the area of the community where the “colored people”

lived (Egypt) and went to school separate from the “whites”. There is a disadvantage to this area in that it lies in a flood zone and there should be a conservation easement agreement established with the property owner. An extension of the river trail could be established from this site to the Railroad Station at Elmore if feasible. This linear greenway/blueway would give the residents a recreation and leisure space for nature exploration and pet walks and links the area to other tourism spaces and destinations in the Wyoming County Comprehensive Plan.

Brownfield Site #3

Horse Creek Lake Wildlife Management Area is located in Wyoming County about four miles from Baileysville. It is 47.91 acres in size and consists of a 5 acre lake in an open bordered forest with steep slopes. There are hunting prospects on site that include deer, raccoon and squirrel; also game fishing opportunities include largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish and trout. Goals of Statewide Wildlife Management Program include: conserve and manage high quality habitats for a variety of wildlife species, improve public access, plant trees and shrubs for food and cover, enhance wildlife habitat, maintain food plots, and develop wetlands. Development projects that the WVDNR supports include: improving public access and recreational opportunities, and constructing roads, parking lots, trails, and public shooting ranges.

Future Site Development

On June 2011, 4H teams participated in planning the proposed Cliffs Outdoor Classroom. The Outdoor Classroom will be built on land donated by Cliffs Natural Resources and will serve as a place for students, clubs, and individuals to learn about the natural environment in an outdoor setting. The proposed site is located along Raccoon and Indian Creeks. Faculty from West Virginia University’s School of Landscape Architecture, staff of Groundwork and Wyoming County 4H volunteered to inventory the area. The site visit allowed the youth to become familiar with the space and to see what is present so they could visualize how to build upon existing treasures and what other elements need to be added to facilitate learning.

The design for the Indian Creek Outdoor Classroom seeks to encompass and facilitate the goals detailed by the stakeholder group and integrate more detailed programmatic information that was generated during site visits and working with the 4H campers. The plan focuses on experiential learning in an outdoor environment. It begins by recognizing the existing environmental characteristics and attributes of the site and seeks to integrate new programmatic uses. The main themes of the design include: Biodiversity, Education, Engagement, Stewardship, Cultivation & Ecology, and A Place for All Ages.

Project Implementation

Presently, Groundwork Guyandotte works with various local, state, and federal partners to establish and sustain programs that benefit the region of Wyoming County in order to improve economic, social, and environmental conditions towards sustainability.

Itmann

The revitalization of the “Old Itmann School” through the adaptive reuse of the structure provides many opportunities. Housing the office of Groundwork Guyandotte and functioning as an interpretive stop and visitor’s center on the National Coal Heritage Trail (NCHT), the structure can play a significant regional role in both hosting cultural tourists and demonstrating best practices in conservation, especially with regards to water. By implementing a series of physical changes in the landscape, the site can interpret and activate residential and commercial sustainable storm water management strategies. This concept follows the goals of Groundwork and would provide multiple benefits to local residents through training and observation. The main components of the storm water management strategy are: rainwater collection achieved with a cistern attached to the structure’s gutters; natural landscaping or xeriscaping in the front yard of the property; permeable paving in the proposed parking lot across Highway 10/16; and an infiltration bioswale constructed within the parking area to catch any residual runoff from the paving and highway. The multiple systems provide a model for sustainable residential landscape design, and within the parking area, demonstrates larger scale urban applications of green infrastructure and low impact development strategies.

The plan also connects the “Old Itmann School/UMW Union Hall” site to the community by defining and enhancing the existing trail and access points along the Guyandotte River. The trail begins at the west edge of the parking area through a sloped riverbank threshold and follows the river north to the center of town, exiting the forest adjacent to the “New Itmann School” and present Council on Aging Center. The trail may continue to the south from “Old School” to Elmore, though it is unclear whether a walkable trail is feasible. Access to the river could be provided by a fishing dock. The trail may be surfaced or remain earthen. A children’s play area and half-court basketball court may also be constructed adjacent to the parking area at the site of the new Groundwork Visitors Center and Museum.

Horse Creek Lake

Setting goals and phasing the improvements to the park will allow for budgeting and focused fund-raising. “Taking Stock” (GWWC, 2009) of local skills and available materials will give the revitalization group a sense of place and stewardship. The phasing will give the group a sense of accomplishment as smaller tasks are achieved.

Lake Edge Pathways: In establishing a path around the lake certain criteria should be followed. Plan for vegetation clearing during a dry period to reduce erosion. If a surface

is applied use permeable material like mulch or crushed rock to avoid bank deterioration and to hold down weed growth. An initial survey should be completed to identify native wetland plant species before beginning construction. For maximum accessibility, construct benches for fishing spaced every 25’-50’.

Interpretative Signage: Installation of new signage at Route 97 should be consistent with the rustic style signs that are already installed in the park. Visibility from the roadway will attract new visitors to the park.

Access Infrastructure: Before beginning construction of the bridges and boardwalks for access to the wetland area, identification of sensitive plant species needs documentation. Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards for accessibility and safety guidelines need to be reviewed before beginning design and construction. The bridge members should be constructed so that they will not collect debris and cause damming at stream inlets. The current handicap accessible landing and pier require rehabilitation or replacement in order to comply with ADA standards. Bridges crossing Horse Creek, Hound Fork and Lick Branch should create connectivity around the lake. Stairs will be needed to facilitate movement from the access road to Horse Creek boardwalk and up the slope to access the south shore.

Connecting Greenspaces: Connecting to the Guyandotte Campground and the Great Eastern Trail is a priority. Local knowledge of pathways needs accessed in order to establish an alignment.

Identification of Funding

EPA's Brownfields Program provides direct funding for brownfields assessment, cleanup, revolving loans, and environmental job training. To facilitate the leveraging of public resources, EPA's Brownfields Program collaborates with other EPA programs, other federal partners, and state agencies to identify and make available resources that can be used for brownfields activities. In addition to direct brownfields funding, EPA also provides technical information on brownfields financing matters.

To support community efforts to preserve, interpret and promote coal heritage resources, the National Coal Heritage Area Authority requests proposals for funding for eligible projects within the National Coal Heritage Area. Projects must have matching funds available and be sufficiently advanced so that they can be completed by in a timely manner. Funding for projects under this request must be matched on a dollar for dollar basis with other funds from non-federal sources or well documented in-kind resources including volunteer labor and services and donated materials and supplies.

The mission of the State Historic Preservation Office of the Division of Culture and History is to encourage, inform, support, and participate in the efforts of the people of West

Virginia to identify, recognize, preserve and protect West Virginia’s prehistoric and historic structures, objects and sites. The West Virginia State Historic Preservation Office administers two grant programs. The first of these programs is funded by the annual federal Historic Preservation Fund of the National Park Service. Known as Survey and Planning Grants, these grants are devoted to historic preservation planning and historic survey work. The second grant fund is funded by the State Legislature and is known as the State Development Grant Program. Development Grants are dedicated to the rehabilitation of resources listed in the National Register of Historic Places.