Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : March 30, 2005

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3380 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Curtis Taylor, Wildlife Resources Section Chief (304) 558-2771 wildlife@wvdnr.gov

Portion of Cross Creek Wildlife Management Area

Temporarily Closed to Public Access

  As of March 1, 2005 , the 592 acre leased portion of Cross Creek Wildlife Management Area (WMA), located in east-central Brooke County , was closed to public access for the next seven years due to an active coal mining operation, according to Curtis I. Taylor, Chief of the Wildlife Resources Section of the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR). “The active mine operation creates a public safety hazard and therefore, a temporary closure is necessary to address public safety concerns,” Taylor said.

  The 2,078 acre Cross Creek WMA was established in 2001 and is an important component of the state's wildlife management area system. The WMA consists of 1,486 acres of land which was purchased by the DNR Wildlife Resources Section using funding from the sale of hunting and fishing licenses. An additional 592 acres is currently managed by the Wildlife Resources Section under a lease agreement with Starvaggi Industries, Inc. Cross Creek WMA supports a diversity of habitat types and wildlife species, and has become a popular destination for hunters, anglers and trappers.

  The portion of the Cross Creek WMA closed to public access lies between Parmar Run and the West Virginia/Pennsylvania state line and has been signed by the Oxford Mining Company to identify the boundaries of the restricted area. This closure will remain in effect until mining operations and reclamation efforts are completed, which is anticipated to be around the year 2012. The remaining 1,486 acres will remain open to hunting.

  For additional information regarding this issue, individuals should contact the District I Farmington DNR Office at 304-825-6787 or the area wildlife manager at 304-387-1753.

**DNR**