Northern Panhandle POW


 
 

Table of Contents


Introduction

Summary of Accomplishments

Narrative of Completed Projects

Projects Adopted FY-97

Goals and Objectives

Three Year Plan Matrix

Council Members and Sponsors

Adoption of Plan
 
 
 

 Introduction
 

This Plan of Work has been developed to be an open-ended, flexible plan. This plan will be reviewed and updated annually by the council to keep the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) program and priorities current with the needs of the RC&D area. This Plan of Work is expected to provide long-term benefits for the citizens of the Northern Panhandle in relation to natural resource conservation and development and rural development.

To accomplish the goals and objectives of this Plan, people are a critical resource. Dedicated people who serve on the council and the various ad hoc project committees are paramount to the success of the RC&D program. Since 1991, financial assistance from the West Virginia State Soil Conservation Agency has been indispensable in bringing many projects to fruition.

Local, state, and federal groups and organizations will be utilized to the fullest extent to carry out the goals of the council and to implement projects. Projects submitted to the council must meet the objectives of the area plan and have local sponsorship and support.

The basic concept of RC&D is to encourage economic growth through development, conservation, and improved utilization of the natural resources in an area. Congress created the RC&D program on the assumption that local citizens, with coordinated USDA assistance, could develop and carry out an action-oriented plan for the social, environmental, and economic betterment of their communities. The completeness and effectiveness of a RC&D program is dependent upon the following principles:


RC&D is a locally initiated, sponsored, and directed program usually covering several counties, which have similar problems and opportunities in regard to their natural resources. Eligible RC&D area sponsors may include public agencies and organizations, such as: counties, towns, soil conservation districts, councils of government, regional planning bodies, local nonprofit organizations, and native American tribal bodies.

Six RC&D areas have been authorized in West Virginia by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Northern Panhandle was approved by the Secretary of Agriculture on February 5, 1990. The Northern Panhandle RC&D area encompasses Marshall, Ohio, Brooke, and Hancock Counties.

Northern Panhandle RC&D Council Area Goals

Expected Benefits Better land use and management; improved water quality and a reduction in flood, erosion and sediment damage; enhanced income and employment opportunities - especially from resource related industries, such as recreation, tourism, agriculture, and forestry; and improvement to and / or protection for the resource base.
Summary of Accomplishments

Fiscal Year 1998






During Fiscal year 1998 (Oct. '97 - Sept. '98), the council adopted 7 projects and completed 11projects.
 

PROJECTS COMPLETED
 

During FY 97, financial and/or technical assistance was secured for the following projects:

  Type of Assistance

PROJECT County Technical Financial
Benwood Park Improvement
Marshall
  
X
Bethlehem Park Improvement
Ohio
  
X
Master Gardner Program
Ohio
X
  
Wellsburg Pool Upgrade
Brooke
  
X
Moundsville ADA Water Fountains
Marshall
  
X
Windsor Heights Community Building Improvement
Brooke
  
X
Woman’s Financial workshops
Area Wide
X
  
McMechen Park Improvement
Marshall
  
X
Trails and Business Seminar
Area Wide
X
  
Back Yard Composting
Area wide
X
  
Cameron Reservoir Park
Marshall
  
X

 

DESCRIPTION of PROJECTS COMPLETED - FY98
 

Moundsville Water Fountains

Financial assistance was provided to the city of Moundsville that allowed installation of two ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) approved drinking fountains at two parks in the city. Cameron Dam Site The rural community of Cameron was able to install recreation facilities at its drinking water reservoir location with financial assistance provided by the Council. Windsor Heights The small community of Windsor Heights had acquired an old church building for use as a Community Center. The Building was in need of many repairs / improvements before it could serve as a Community Center. The Council was able to provide funds to begin rehabilitation of the soon—to –be Community Center. Wellsburg and McMechen Pool Improvements Financial assistance was provided to the communities of Wellsburg and McMechen to allow need repairs to their City Swimming Pools. Trails & Business Seminar Council Member Gloria Barrett planned, coordinated, and conducted a one-day seminar to provide participants with basic information on community development and business start-up basics linked to the now popular rails / trails concept. Bethlehem and Benwood Park Financial assistance was provided to the Communities of Bethlehem and Benwood to assist them in installing improvements to their Community Parks. Woman’s Financial Workshops Council Member Gloria Barrett planned, coordinated, and conducted several workshops aimed at giving women the basic skills in starting a business. The workshops covered topics such as: potential business opportunities in various areas / fields and ways to go about starting a business. Master Gardner The Ohio County Extension Service conducted a series of training sessions for local residents to train them as Master Gardeners. Back Yard Composting Cooperating with the local Soil Conservation District, Extension Service, and Solid waste Authorities, back-yard composters were distributed to urban residents in the area. Projects Adopted FY-1998

 During FY 98 the following Projects were adopted by the Northern Panhandle Resource, Conservation, and Development Council:

McMechen Park Improvement

Trails and Business Seminar

BioMass Composting

Brooke-Hancock Veteran’s Park Improvement

Clearview Ball Field Improvement

Brooke County Genealogy

Back yard Composting
 
 

 Area Goals and Objectives
 

Goal a - A Stable and Diversified Rural Economic Base.
 

Objective a01 - Strengthen the woodland industry by creating an awareness of the value of forest resources and manufacturing, and making marketing more effective.

Objective a02 - Improve farm management, diversify agriculture production and marketing effectively.

Objective a03 - Strengthen wildlife, recreation, and the tourism industry by protecting the resource base, creating an awareness of history and tourism, and developing basic facilities.

Objective a04 - Capitalize on economic opportunities in community and county planning, business retention and expansion, community development, and marketing of small businesses to increase the economic viability of the area.
 
 

 Goal b - Conservation of the Natural Resource Base in the Area.
  Objective b01 - Reduce or eliminate upstream flooding in the project area.

 Objective b02 - Improve water quality in the project area.

 Objective b03 - Install erosion control practices on eroding areas with assistance from local sponsors.
 

 Goal c - Citizen Involvement in Natural Resource and Development Decision Making.
  Objective c01 - To report to the sponsors, local units of government, and concerned citizens on a regular basis the status of various RC&D programs and natural resource opportunities.

 Objective c02 - Educate local citizens and governmental officials on the importance of the area's natural resources.
 
 
 
Northern Panhandle RC&D AREA - THREE YEAR PLAN OF WORK

PRIORITY ACTION ITEMS AND ACTIVITIES






GOAL A - A Stable and Diversified Rural Economic Base.

OBJECTIVE a03 - Strengthen wildlife, recreation, & the tourism industry by protecting the resource base, creating an awareness of history and tourism, and developing basic facilities.
 
In FY 98

Project
Expected Completion Date
Project
Planned
Completed
FY-99
FY-00
Benwood Park Safety Surfacing
X
X
    
Bethlehem Park Safety Surfacing
X
X
    
Master Gardener
X
X
    
McMechen Park Improvement
X
X
    
Moundsville Parks ADA Water Fountains
X
X
    
Wellsburg Pool-house Repair
X
X
    
Windsor Heights Community Building
X
X
    
Brooke and Hancock Veterans Park Improvement    
X
  
Brooke Hills Park Facilities Improvement
X
  
X
  
Clearview Ball Field Improvement
X
  
X
  
Moundsville Park ADA Equipment
X
  
X
  
Rails to Trails Incorporation
X
  
X
  
Wellsburg Park Lighting
X
  
X
  
Chester City Parks Improvement    
X
  

 

GOAL A - A Stable and Diversified Rural Economic Base.

OBJECTIVE a04 - Capitalize on economic opportunities in community and county planning, business retention and expansion, community development, and marketing of small businesses to increase the economic viability of the Area
 
In FY 98

Project
Expected Completion Date
Project
Planned
Completed
FY-99
FY-00
Trials and Business Seminars
X
X
    
Woman’s Financial Management Workshops
X
X
    
Brooke County Genealogy
X
  
X
  

 

GOAL B - Conservation of the Natural Resource Base in the Area.

OBJECTIVE b02 - Improve water quality.
 
 
 
In FY 98

Project
Expected Completion Date
Project
Planned
Completed
FY-99
FY-00
Weirton Streambank Improvement
X
  
X
  

 

GOAL C - Citizen Involvement in Natural Resource & Development DEcision Making  
OBJECTIVE c02 - Educate Local Citizens & Government Officials on the Importance of Area's Natural Resources.
 
In FY 98

Project
Expected Completion Date
Project
Planned
Completed
FY-99
FY-00
Legislative Awareness Day
X
X
X
  
Back Yard Composting    
X
  
Bio Mass Composting
X
  
X
  

OTHER ACTIVITIES
 
 
 
In FY 98

Project
Expected Completion Date
 
Planned
Completed
FY-99
FY-00
Write Annual Plan
1
1
X
  
Attend National RC&D Association Conference
1
    
7/00
Attend WV RC&D Association Annual Conference
1
1
X
  
Assist in Planning WV RC&D Association Annual Conference
1
1
X
  

 

1999 Council Membership

Name Appointed by County
 

Sharon Ulbright Hancock County Commission Hancock

(Chair)

 Harry Cox Northern Panhandle SCD Ohio

(V. Chair)

 Richard Lewis Marshall County Commission Marshall

(Secretary/Treasurer)

 Roy Schafer Northern Panhandle SCD Marshall

 William Phipps Bel-O-Mar Regional Council Ohio

 Lloyd Walker NP-RC&D Council Marshall

 Chris Hess NP-RC&D Council Ohio

 Robert Kranis Northern Panhandle SCD Hancock

 C. J. Reinacher Ohio County Commission Ohio

 Gloria Barrett Brooke County Commission Brooke
 
 
Northern Panhandle RC&D Council Office








Location                                   Staff
 

324 Seventh Street                     James Ali, RC&D Coordinator

Moundsville, WV 26041             Cathy Jefferson, Technical Clerk

(304) 843-1424
 
 

Sponsors







Hancock County Commission Ohio County Commission

 Bel-O-Mar Regional Planning Council Brooke County Commission

 Northern Panhandle Soil Conservation District Marshall County Commission
 

Council Adoption

The Northern Panhandle RC&D council hereby adopts this Fiscal Year 1999 Plan of Work.

Northern Panhandle RC&D Council, West Virginia
 

By: _________________________________________ Sharon Ulbright - Chairman

This action authorized at an official meeting

of the Northern Panhandle RC&D Council on __________________________

Date

Attest: ________________________________________
 
 

The RC&D program will be conducted in compliance with the nondiscrimination provisions as contained in title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as amended, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987 (Pub. Law 100-259) and other nondiscrimination statutes; namely, section 504, of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and in accordance with the regulations of the Secretary of Agriculture (7CFR-15, Subparts A & B) which provide that no person in the United States shall, on the ground of race, color, national origin, age, sex, religion, marital status, or handicap / disability be excluded from participation in, or be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any program or activity receiving federal financial (or technical) assistance from the Department of Agriculture or any agency thereof.