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Residents tell supervisors Appalachian Power spraying damaged property and lacked notification
Summary
Several residents told the board they observed extensive herbicide spraying by Appalachian Power, reported vegetation and tree loss and said they received no advance notice; one resident described a large tree being cut and repeatedly urged county follow-up with the utility and state DEQ.
A resident who lives near Fairdale described meeting with Appalachian Power staff and said the company sprayed herbicides without notification, leaving visible damage along roads and waterways and killing trees on private land. The resident told the board he had been left "in crutches for 3 months" after spraying and said the company had cut a large white oak on his property.
He identified several chemicals and expressed concern about potential water contamination, citing instances where spray reached stream edges and advising the board that notices similar to those posted at recreational lakes were not provided locally. Supervisors asked county staff to gather material safety data sheets, map spraying locations, and pursue follow-up with state regulators; one supervisor said citizens should be able to contact DEQ and that the county could help escalate unresolved complaints.
