January 24, 2005 - Howard Krauskopf, attorney for the Potomac Valley Conservation District, threatened to have landowners
arrested if district workers were not allowed onto property.
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December 9, 2004 – The Potomace Valley Conservation District (PVCD) and landowners from proposed dam site 16 (Lower Cove) met in the Hardy County Circuit Court.
The judge REFUSED to hear any evidence regarding the illegal elections of PVCD board supervisors.
After much questioning of some witnesses, the judge decided to allow a limited right-of-entry to property
for the sole purpose of geological, archeological, and environmental studies.
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November 3, 2004 - Stanley Moyers won a seat on the Hardy County Commission, ousting
incumbent J. Michael Teets. Mr. Teets has been a strong vocal supporter of the Lost River dams.
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October 2004 – It has been discovered that conservation district supervisors in West Virginia are NOT elected properly.
In order to vote for a supervisor, one must be at least 21 years old and own 3+ acres of land. According to the US Constitution and the WV Constitution,
one only has to be 18 years of age. Owning land in NOT a factor. These supervisors are NOT
elected when all other public officials are elected. The elections are NOT held at the usual polling
places. The elections are NOT overseen by the Secretary of State’s office (the office which oversees all other public elections).
Instead, the elections are held at a time and place determined by the WV Conservation Agency. The elections are advertised in
local newspapers. The WV Conservation Agency oversees the elections and the counting of the ballots.
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September 30, 2004 - Landowners at the proposed Lower Cove dam site again received a
visit from a deputy sheriff. The deputy delivered papers composed by Howard Krauskopf on behalf of the PVCD
that seek right-of-entry via the Hardy County Circuit Court.
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September 22, 2004 – Landowners at the proposed Lower Cove dam site received another
letter requesting right-of-entry. According to motions approved at the latest PVCD meetings, this right-of-entry is ONLY suppose to be for a feasibility study.
However, the letter mentions that if land is affected an appraiser will be sent out to appraise
property. Click here to read the letter written by Howard Krauskopf on behalf of the PVCD.
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September 1, 2004 – The Potomac Valley Conservation District (PVCD) supervisors met
for their monthly meeting. Again, several locals affected were in attendance. The board instructed their
attorney, Howard Krauskopf (son-in-law of PVCD’s vice-chairperson), to seek right-of-entry for the
specific study of the Lower Cove dam site and any additional studies needed to update the Lost River
Watershed’s Environmental Impact Statement and work plan. The board also voted to delete recreation
from the feasibility study ONLY.
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August 4, 2004 - The Potomac Valley Conservation District (PVCD) supervisors met for their
monthly meeting. Russ Campbell (representative from the state) attended the meeting. The majority of
landowners and their families affected by the proposed Lower Cove dam were present. Several questioned
the board about future plans for the proposed Lower Cove dam. One asked if public opinion would be considered.
Chairman John Wagoner indicated that public opinion would be considered. There were many other points
brought up by various citizens attending the meeting about the feasibility of this project and how
things have been handled by the PVCD, NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation District), and HCC (Hardy County Commission). The board made a motion to proceed with the
right-of-entry process in order to conduct geological, archeological, and environmental studies for the
purpose of feasibility determination ONLY.
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July 20, 2004 - The HCC made no motions at their meeting regarding the dam
project. Fred Francis and a crew from NBC came to Hardy County to interview both
sides for a story for "Fleecing of America".
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July 13, 2004 – The West Virginia Conservation Agency held its quarterly meeting at
Canaan Valley. Ed Kesecker (Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) district representative) and
PVCD Chairman John Wagoner were present. After promising citizens and agreeing at the last PVCD monthly
meeting to "back up" and look more closely at the project, Mr. Kesecker and Mr. Wagoner were ADAMENT that
their organizations would continue to pursue the Lower Cove dam project REGARDLESS of public opinion.
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July 13, 2004 - The rescheduled court hearing for Right of
Entry: Landowners vs. the Hardy County Commission & the Potomac Valley
Conservation District was at 9:00am. The PVCD and the HCC withdrew their petition for
right of entry.
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July 8, 2004 - A public informational meeting, sponsored by the Lost River Committee, was held
at the Mathias Community Center at 7:00pm. The purpose was to inform the public of
information pertaining to the planned Lower Cove Run & Cullers Run dams.
[View the flyer]
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July 7, 2004 – The Potomac Valley Conservation District supervisors met for their monthly meeting.
Truman Wolfe and Russ Campbell (representatives from the state) attended the meeting. The majority of landowners and
their families affected by the proposed Lower Cove dam were present. Several spoke and asked the board to take a look
at the project in the present not what was planned over 30 years ago. At one point during the meeting, Chairman John
Wagoner asked Truman Wolfe if they (PVCD) could back out. Mr. Wolfe’s answer was yes. The board made a motion,
agreed, and approved to reexamine what they had originally voted for.
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June 25, 2004 - A hearing to decide right-of-entry
for soil testing, surveying, etc. on property was scheduled. However, that was postponed. Attorneys for both sides met
with Judge Cookman to reschedule the hearing from July 13 at 9:00am.
The additional time would allow for investigation of the allegations made by landowners.
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