Davis, W.V. - The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has released an environmental assessment of the design and construction of a multi-use facility to replace the current headquarters and visitor center at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. The proposed facility would also house Service employees who currently work in leased office space in other locations in the state.
The environmental assessment, required under the National Environmental Policy Act, evaluates the potential environmental impacts of two alternatives. The first is a no-action alternative of not proceeding with any changes to the site. The second, and preferred, alternative, is proceeding with the construction of the facility and complementary site and trail improvements.
The environmental assessment is available online at [URL- would be our new project page] and hard copies may be viewed at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge in Davis, WV. Written public comments will be accepted for thirty days, with a deadline of midnight on January 12, 2019.
Please submit your comments by January 12, 2019, to Refuge Manager Ron Hollis by email at ron_hollis@fws.gov
The U.S. Congress appropriated $7 million for the construction of the new facility. The construction project has been a priority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the current facility is in a state of disrepair. A new multi-use facility would be energy-efficient and safe, and would provide much improved services for visitors. It would be the administrative headquarters for the refuge, as well as the Service’s West Virginia Field Office and West Virginia Office of Law Enforcement, both of which are currently located in Elkins, W.V.
