Historic resources, water systems, cultural landscapes, and environmental features deserve thorough evaluation before irreversible decisions are made.

Potential Areas for Additional Independent Study

The resources documented throughout Historic Koontz Hollow and Hunter's Fork extend far beyond a single property or isolated landmark. Historic cemeteries, Eastern Woodland Native artifacts, family homesteads, springs, headwater tributaries, agricultural lands, conservation areas, wildlife habitat, and generations of documented local history all contribute to a cultural and environmental landscape that has developed over centuries.

Many of these resources have never been comprehensively studied, formally documented, or evaluated in the context of a modern utility corridor. Once construction activities occur, the opportunity to fully understand and document certain historical, archaeological, hydrological, environmental, and cultural features may be permanently lost.

For this reason, additional time for independent review and study is critical. Thorough investigation by qualified professionals can help identify resources, evaluate potential impacts, document historical and environmental conditions, and ensure that informed decisions are made before irreversible changes occur to the landscape.

The following provision, adopted within the signed resolution of the Barbour County Commission concerning the proposed Valley Link corridor affecting Koontz Hollow, Kelley Road, and Hunter's Fork, acknowledges the need for sufficient time to conduct independent studies, document historical and environmental resources, and evaluate potential impacts before irreversible changes are made to the landscape.

The resolution was approved, dated, and signed on May 15, 2026, and subsequently distributed to approximately twenty recipients, including the offices of Senator Shelley Moore Capito and her staff, FirstEnergy, Dominion Energy, Transource Energy, Valley Link representatives, and other project stakeholders, with confirmed receipt documented by the sender.

Paragraph Seven: 7. The Commission will request Valley Link to agree to fund completely any and all independent testing that would be requested by the Kelley Road Landowners, Hunter’s Fork Landowners, and any other landowners of Barbour County where a transmission line is proposed to go and will ask that no path proceed forward for a minimum of one year, or until all assessments can be completed and fully reviewed, whichever is longer, after Valley Link agrees to fund independent testing and testing, including but not limited to safety risks, land damage, property valuations, health risks and diseases, ground water contamination risks, and to determine if any other risks are associated therewith, can be completed.