Guidelines For Data Requests

Environmental Review

The West Virginia Natural Heritage Program provides data on rare, threatened and endangered species and unique habitats to landowners, consulting firms, government agencies, conservation organizations, and researchers.  This information is used for planning and in the design of a variety of development projects, such as subdivisions, infrastructure projects, highway design, pipeline corridors, and communication towers.

To obtain site-specific information send a cover letter describing the proposed project and type of data requested, and a photocopy of a portion of the USGS topographic map with the project area clearly outlined.  Please include the name of the quadrangle used.

Data users are charged  $75.00 per hour, with $75.00 the minimum fee.  This fee may be waived for cooperators and non-profit groups, otherwise an invoice will be sent with the response.

Coal Mining and Quarries

Lands Inquiry reviews are conducted for coal-related activities and quarries.  These reviews provide currently known information on rare, threatened and endangered species, wetlands, high quality streams, sensitive habitats, special management areas, and fish and game populations.  To apply for a Lands Inquiry send the following information to the WV Division of Natural Resources (address given below):

1. Cover letter.
2. Three (3) copies of the proposal/drainage map(s), minimum scale of 1"=500', with water discharge points and stream crossing clearly shown.
3. Two (2) copies of a topographic map (1"=2000') with the proposed operation site clearly shown.
4. A location map, such as a county road map, with the site clearly shown.
5. Estimate of the total acreage to be permitted.
6. Limits of the proposed operation clearly shown on all maps.
7. Centrally located latitude and longitude.
8. Receiving streams clearly shown on all maps.
9. A check for $150.00 made out to the WV Division of Natural Resources.

If the application is for a prospect you may send either three copies of the proposal/drainage map(s) and one copy of the location map, OR three copies of the topographic map. Please be sure to include the remainder of the above guidelines.  Be site-specific when giving the limits of the proposed operation by showing drill holes and roads.

Incomplete application packets will be returned.

Applications for valley fills must also be submitted to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.  Items 1 through 8 may be sent to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at 694 Beverly Pike, Elkins, WV 26241.

Other Data

The Natural Heritage Program can also provide lists of species sorted a variety of ways.  Most commonly, requests are made for species listed by county, USGS quadrangle, or watershed.   The lists do not give specific location information, and can be provided electronically or by hardcopy.  Requests for state or county wide site-specific information is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and is usually provided only to cooperators.  In most cases the requestor must sign a data use agreement prior to receiving any information.

National Wetland Inventory maps may be obtained from the University of Massachusetts by emailing esic@tei.umass.edu or www.umass.edu/tei/esio/wtlnd.html to access their website.

Contacting Us

All data requests may be sent to the WV Division of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, PO Box 67 Ward Road, Elkins, WV 26241; Attn: Barbara Sargent.

If you have any questions please contact Barbara Sargent at 304/637-0245 or email barbara.d.sargent@wv.gov