U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) announced today that he has contacted the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection in an effort to see that the continuation of much-needed water-line repairs in the Bradshaw Mountain section of McDowell County are undertaken as soon as possible.

"I have been in contact with officials of the State's Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) program and they have assured me that funding for the Bradshaw Mountain/Paynesville Water Project is in place and progress on the project will proceed as soon as the McDowell County Public Service District is able to complete necessary property acquisition agreements and easements," said Rahall. "I am told that the work is likely to start this spring, and I will continue to closely monitor the project's progress, recognizing that this construction is needed to bring relief to residents of the Bradshaw Mountain area."

Rahall contacted the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection's AML program for an update on the progress of the Bradshaw Mountain/Paynesville Water Project in response to reports of increasing water shortages in the Bradshaw Mountain area brought on by last summer's drought and exacerbated by recent freezing of water lines.

According to Charlie Miller, Director of the AML program, all four phases of construction are eligible for AML funding at 72%. The Rural Utilities Service under the USDA has also been a participating funding partner.

Construction on Phase I of the project is complete and property acquisition agreements and easements for Phase II are currently underway by the McDowell County Public Service District (PSD). Once these are completed, Phase II will be bid out for construction and could break ground as early as this spring. Phase II will cover areas along Route 635 South of Jolo, Route 83 to the foot of Bradshaw Mountain, and Route 80 from Bradshaw to Oozley Branch and will provide service to an expected 230 customers. Phase II's total cost is estimated at $2,760,000, including $1,990,000 committed through the AML program.

Construction would follow on Phases III and IV, which are expected to cover portions of the Bradshaw Mountain, Brushy Ridge, Rock Ridge, Jackson Flats, Paynesville, State Line Ridge, and Estep Ridge areas and to extend service to up to 480 customers. Until Phase II is completed, the McDowell County PSD cannot predict further funding needs.

"We cannot allow the health and well-being of our communities to be compromised by the challenges of our rugged region and unruly weather," said Rahall. "Updating our outdated water infrastructure continues to be one of my top priorities for southern West Virginia. Bradshaw Mountain is one of many water projects I am working on throughout the region to help ensure that all our communities have access to a clean and safe water supply."