ABRA Conservation Hub Development: Coal Operations and Candy Darter Habitat

Click Here to Access the Interactive Map

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection is reviewing a permit renewal application for a coal haulroad that drains to critical habitat for the endangered candy darter in the South Fork of Cherry River watershed. The eastern section of the haulroad is on National Forest land and subject to Forest Service approval and oversight.

<br><h6><strong>Candy Darter Preservation and Restoration</strong></h6>This Hub site relates the remnant distribution of this endangered species to environmental context and proposed land management projects, providing a framework for oversight of agency responses to requirements of the Endangered Species Act. <br><br><h6><a href="https://conservation-abra.hub.arcgis.com/pages/8efdcf211f9d49338309ae5763c4d0a7">Online Here</a></h6>

Concern for the Candy Darter

Click above to access the Conservation Hub site on candy darter habitat conservation in the National Forest.

South Fork of Cherry River

This Conservation Hub site will examine implementation of the Endangered Species Act with respect to risk of critical habitat degradation associated with coal mining operations and related infrastructure in the South Fork of Cherry River watershed.

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Projection is currently reviewing an application for continued operation of a coal haulroad in the South Fork of Cherry River watershed. The haulroad was initially permitted in 2021.

The South Fork of Cherry River is designated critical habitat for the candy darter, which was listed as an endangered species in 2018.

The West Virginia Highlands Conservancy has requested an extension of the comment period for the haulroad permit renewal application – based on threats to critical habitat for the endangered candy darter and the apparent lack of coordination between the applicant, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, the Forest Service, and the WVDEP.

See Request for Extension of Comment Period for Permit No. O-3022-11.