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Officials say federal review delaying debris-catching device for Leesville Lake; county seeks to expedite
Summary
A board member reported that a planned debris-capturing device at the mouth of the Pig River on Leesville Lake faces an 18-month Coast Guard study requirement; county and regional parties met with Rep. McGuire’s office and AEP to press for a faster review amid reports of 700–800 tons of debris removed monthly.
A supervisor told the Bedford County Board of Supervisors on Aug. 12 that efforts to install a debris-catching device at the mouth of the Pig River on Leesville Lake have been delayed by a new federal review requirement and that local officials are seeking help to speed the process.
The supervisor said a joint meeting was held with U.S. Rep. McGuire’s office, the Leesville Lake Association, the TLAC executive director and four representatives from AEP to discuss debris removal. The update said crews are removing an estimated 700 to 800 tons of debris from Leesville Lake each month and that the county has worked on the debris-capturing concept since 2018.
According to the update, the U.S. Coast Guard now requires an 18-month study before it will sign off on the debris-capturing concept, introducing a delay that county officials described as ‘‘bureaucratic red tape.’’ The supervisor emphasized concern for boater and swimmer safety, saying the logs and other floating debris present hazards just below the water surface.
Board members said they intend to continue engaging Rep. McGuire’s office and the utility AEP to move the federal review forward. The supervisor reported that representatives from the Pennsylvania side of the lake — which lies partially in the congressman’s district — had participated in the discussions.
The comments were presented as an informational update; there was no formal vote recorded on the matter at the meeting.
Background: Leesville Lake is shared by regional stakeholders and utility infrastructure operated by AEP. The supervisor’s remarks placed the project in an ongoing 2018-era effort to reduce floating debris and noted the new Coast Guard study requirement as the proximate cause of delay.
