Tag: West Virginia Division of Natural Resources

West Virginia to Study Elk River Fish Life After Chemical Spill

  The state will survey fish life in the Elk River after a massive chemical spill polluted the waterway in January.

The U.S. Geological Survey’s National Fish Health Laboratory in Leetown will aid the state Division of Natural Resources in the project next week.

The Freedom Industries spill contaminated the drinking water supply for 300,000 people for days.

The state Division of Natural Resources says no fish kills were observed after the spill. The survey will look at possible health impacts on fish from the disaster.

The division will perform a similar fish study on the Kanawha River. That survey is part of a statewide fish health assessment project with the U.S. Fish Wildlife Service’s Northeast Fishery Center in Lamar, Pennsylvania.

Fish Virus Found in W.Va., No Kills Reported

A state biologist says a virus that can kill bass has been found in several West Virginia waterways. But no fish kills have been reported.Division of…

 A state biologist says a virus that can kill bass has been found in several West Virginia waterways. But no fish kills have been reported.

Division of Natural Resources fisheries biologist Scott Morrison says Largemouth Bass Virus was detected in North Bend Lake a year ago. It also has been found in the Ohio River.

Morrison tells the Parkersburg News and Sentinel that the virus has caused minor fish kills in other states.

He says the virus is found in many fish and amphibians. But it only affects bass, as far as biologists can determine.

He says the DNR is working to prevent the virus from spreading to other bodies of water.

Gov. Tomblin Appoints New Managers in Parks and DNR

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin named new heads for two sections of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Sam England will be the new chief of the Parks and Recreation section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, and Jerry Jenkins is the chief of the Law Enforcement section.

A news release from the Governor’s office says each has more than 30 years of public service. Commerce Secretary, Keith Burdette thinks that both men have the talent, skills, and motivation to move the Division of Natural Resources to the next level.

England has a wildlife biology degree and has worked in various parks around the state including North Bend and Stonewall Jackson. Jenkins has a forestry degree and has served as a natural resources police officer.

England and Jenkins fill the positions left by the recent retirements of State Parks Chief Ken Caplinger and Col. David Murphy.

Jenkins was sworn in yesterday, and England will assume his post Friday, July 25th.

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