MORGANTOWN – The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has told Lake Lynn Generation it has concerns about ongoing maintenance problems at Cheat Lake Park and is requiring answers to a list of questions by Aug. 22.
FERC opens its letter to the company by recounting that it originally sought answers to a number of concerns back in January 2024: including trash removal; grounds maintenance; out of service sinks, toilets and water fountains; and exposed rusty metal at the playground.
Lake Lynn filed a partial response in February, FERC said. But, “as of the date of this letter, we still have several concerns regarding the upkeep and maintenance of these recreation facilities. Therefore, we are seeking additional information to help us determine if you are complying with your license requirements.”
FERC said it has been notified that the restroom facilities are closed due to a severe water leak and that
Lake Lynn is providing portable toilets as a temporary measure. “Additionally, we continue to receive complaints that the water fountains are unusable.”
Lake Lynn promised FERC in February 2024 that it would file a plan and schedule for repairs if it could not complete them by that April. “To date, you have not provided the C\commission with a plan and schedule to return the facilities to service.”
In a call with Lake Lynn staff, FERC said it learned there are talks about providing water bottle refill stations and the potential for a municipal water line to run to the park. “However, no timeline for resolving the water outage was provided. It also remains unclear whether you are providing an [ADA-] accessible portable toilet.”
FERC also noted ongoing problems with downed trees and debris accumulation at project recreation facilities. And it has received complaints that the interpretive displays and lighting along trails have not been receiving proper maintenance and cleaning, and that the displays are difficult to read.
“Based on the information provided,” FERC told Lake Lynn, “it is not clear how quickly or frequently you respond to the maintenance and public safety needs, when identified, and whether the interpretative displays and trail lighting are functional.”
Because of these concerns, FERC wants information on these issues:
- A plan and schedule for fixing the water leak and returning the restrooms and water fountains at Cheat Lake Park into service, including interim measures for providing potable water.
- Photo documentation that Lake Lynn is providing a wheelchair-accessible portable toilet while the restrooms are out of service, or a plan and schedule to do so.
- A detailed history of the frequency of general ground maintenance over the past two years, specifically including debris removal, the location of downed trees, and the frequency of downed tree clearing.
- Photo documentation that the interpretive displays are legible and documentation that the trail lighting is in good working order, or a plan and schedule to resolve any remaining maintenance issues.
- A detailed summary of any recent vandalism at recreation sites throughout the project; Lake Lynn’s opinion on whether current security measures, protocols, patrols, etc., are sufficient at deterring vandalism and keeping up with maintenance at project recreation facilities; and if not, a plan and schedule to increase security measures to address the vandalism.
