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Residents, businesses urge county to press state on recurring drainage and flooding on Route 7 area
Summary
Public commenters described recent heavy rains that flooded Route 7 in the Dells/Little Richard area, washing large rocks into the roadway; commissioners said they would press state Department of Highways and other agencies to identify responsibility and remedies.
Residents and a local business owner urged the Monongalia County Commission on June 4 to press state and other agencies to address recurring drainage and roadway flooding along Route 7 in the Dells/Little Richard area.
Chad Matheny, owner of CorVel Roofing and Supply, said heavy rain this spring caused multiple highway flood points “in at least 3 or 4 locations” between Pass and Central Supply and described “rocks the size of grapefruits” washing into the roadway, creating a hazard for drivers. Matheny said boreholes drilled by DEP contributed water during the storm and that some boreholes remained open after the work, a safety concern he relayed to the commission.
Resident Mary Anne Folz also raised countywide drainage concerns and said privately developed sites and construction tied to tax‑increment financing (TIF) projects have worsened flooding for neighbors. “There’s just no reason why our drains can’t be cleared,” Folz said, and she urged the commission to work with the Department of Highways and developers who benefit from TIFs to resolve property flooding.
Commissioners acknowledged extensive flooding was visible in community photos and videos and said responsibility for drainage is split among private landowners, the West Virginia Department of Highways (DOH), and potentially other agencies such as the Department of Environmental Protection. Commissioner Tom said he would reach out to the appropriate DOH contact to seek solutions. “We can certainly do that,” he said, adding that the agency has made more contact information available and the county can provide specific DOH contacts to residents.
The comments were presented during the public‑comment portion of the commission meeting; no formal county directive or expenditure was adopted at the June 4 session. Commissioners said the county would continue to “put pressure on those that do” and try to identify who is responsible for implementing repairs.
Matheny and Folz requested guidance on specific state contacts and help coordinating with state agencies and developers; commissioners and staff said they would follow up.
