The fish population in the stream as determined by rotenone samples amounted to 60.55 pounds per acre (Table 1). Of this total, 13.1% were smallmouth bass, 36.3% rock bass, and 50.6% rough fish. Extensive sedimentation resulting in the loss of pools and tremendous water level fluctuations are the limiting factors affecting the sport fishery in the stream. North River North River has its source on the east side of South Branch Mountain just north of Fabius and flows in a general northeast direction to one mile north of Inkerman where it turns directly east along the HampshireHardy County line to one mile east of Rio. The river continues to the Forks of Cacapon where it joins the Cacapon River. The area of its North River has a length of 48.5 miles with a total fall of 675 feet or an average gradient of 26.7 feet per mile. drainage basin is 211 square miles. The standing crop of fishes in this stream is 95.87 pounds per acre (Table 1). Of this total, 19% consists of smallmouth bass, 28.9% rock bass and 52.1% rough fish. In the past, much of the headwaters have been channelized for road maintenance purposes by the State Road Commission (F-10-R-6, District II D-J Report). No estimate was made of this damage. Much of the drainage has been depredated by floods and bulldozing. Mill Creek Mill Creek, the largest tributary of the South Branch River in Hampshire County, has its source two miles west of Purgitsville and flows north and then east to meet the South Branch River two miles west of Romney. Its major tributaries are Elmlick, Camp and Core Runs. Extensive dredging has been done in the stream channel in an effort to halt bank erosion. As might be expected, water level fluctuation is great and the sediment load heavy (F-10-R-6, District II D-J Report). The lower five miles is utilized for a put-and-take trout fishery. During 1968, a total of 1,183 pounds of trout were stocked valued at $1,100.19. The standing crop of fish in Mill Creek is 71 pounds per acre. Of this total, 18% consists of smallmouth bass, 40.2% rock bass, 4.2% sunfish and 37.6% rough fish. Findings The 19 projects inspected during this survey involved a total of 22,400 feet of stream alterations, encompassing a total area of 27.20 acres (Table 2). The majority of the work, involving eight separate projects was on the Little Cacapon River comprising 18.37 acres. Seven projects on the North River involved 6.11 acres and four on Mill Creek involved 2.72 acres. Little Cacapon Special C-8 practices on Little Cacapon River during 1967 involved a total length of 12,950 feet and a total stream area of 18.37 acres. At three of the project sites the stream was completely dry: Habitat destruction at the five other sites was estimated from 60% to 100%. Downstream damage resulting from sedimentation was considerable at one site and varied to little or none at the other four areas. Future downstream habitat destruction is expected to occur at the other sites as loose gravel, sand, and silt is washed downstream. Present losses to the fishery of this stream based upon the population structure alone is $108.61 per acre. Total losses amount to $1,995.17 arnually. Additional losses resulting from habitat destruction downstream will range from $814.57 to $868.88 annually. These cost figures are based on an average cost of $5.62/pound for smallmouth bass, $2.63/pound for rock bass, and $0.23/pound for minnows and suckers. North River Special C-8 practices on North River during 1967 involved a total stream length of 5,850 feet and an area of 6.1 acres. Habitat destruction at two sites was minimal. Both jobs involved bank stabilization and at one a small gravel bar was removed. At both sites the banks were well sloped and seeded. Downstream siltation was slight. The other jobs observed involved considerable in-stream alteration and were primarily aimed at bank protection or flood prevention. In most cases attempts were made to straighten stream channels. At one site, gravel and rubble from the stream bed was used to slope the banks. In-stream damage at this site was considerable and downstream sedimentation heavy. Flooding is expected to wash out much of the material used to slope the banks. Downstream damage on these North River projects will probably result in an additional loss of 3.5 acres. Fishery losses based upon the present population structure alone is $186.77 per acre (Table 3). Total losses amount to $1,139.30. Additional losses resulting from downstream sedimentation will amount to $653.69 annually. Mill Creek Four jobs were inspected on Mill Creek involving 3,600 feet with an area of 2.73 acres. Three of the projects are in the area stocked with trout and the fourth is considerably upstream. All projects except one were for bank stabilization. The fourth was aimed at removing a channel obstruction. At two of the projects, the banks were sloped using stream gravel. Old automobile bodies were used at the other. The car bodies appeared to be working well toward stabilizing the bank. At the other two sites the banks were beginning to erode. It is anticipated that flood waters will eventually erode these banks back to their former state. Downstream damages will result in an additional loss of 1.5 acres of water. Fishery losses based upon the present population structure alone is $140.72 per acre. Total losses amount to $382.76. Additional losses resulting from downstream sedimentation are or will amount to $211.08. Conclusions The total losses attributable to this project include the loss of 27.2 acres of water valued at $81,600.00, annual fish population losses valued at $3,517.22, plus additional expected losses of $1,679.04. Additionally, there is a loss of 140 man/days of angling per acre per year valued at $1,522.80 (Table 4). Of all the projects inspected, only three were considered successful in accomplishing their intended purpose. Two of these were bank stabilization projects on North River and one on Mill Creek where car bodies were used. Several other projects at present were still in good condition but it is felt that subsequent high waters will wash them out. In discussing the projects with individual landowners, three felt they were successful (two were bank stabilization jobs on the North River, one on Mill Creek). Two others felt they were successful although they had not inspected the project. One landowner stated that his project had washed out. Based upon the results of this survey, it can readily be seen how several such projects can eventually add up to considerable acreage. Considering the area involved in these 19 projects (27.20 acres), plus the additional losses anticipated (12.5 acres), the total area amounts to about 1% of the water area of Hampshire County. This occurred in only one year. This figure does not include the other projects completed during 1967 on minor tributaries which amounted to 37,600 feet of stream with an area of approximately 17.2 acres. If these figures are added to similar projects in other counties and to future projects, the total loss of fishable water to State anglers will indeed be alarming. TABLE 1. Fish population composition of Little Cacapon, North River, & Mill Creek. CABLE 2. Stream length and area involved in dredging projects on study streams. TABLE 3. Stream Fish population values in Little Cacapon, North River, and Mill Creek. 101.56 $ 11.49 $ 1139.30 HIGHWAY COORDINATION PROJECT & REVIEW OF EXISTING INTER-AGENCY AGREEMENTS William Santonas Biologist Division of Game and Fish W. Va. Department of Natural Resources We have always been a nation of travelers. Our forefathers traveled the hills and mountains of West Virginia on foot, horseback, or in wagons. There were no defined roads or highways. The trails that were traveled had little or no effect on fish and wildlife other than to take the pioneer into areas to hunt and fish. The development of the automobile, however, brought about a demand for more and better roads. With the increase in population and in the number of fast moving automobiles this demand has never slackened and the construction programs designed to satisfy it have continually grown. Prior to World War II, comparatively little thought was given to the impact of roads on fish and wildlife. Vehicles were slow and roads were narrow. Rights-of-way were either unfenced or the fences were of low standard that did not interfere with game movements. Streams and rivers were usually crossed by bridges. Following the war, there was a great increase in the rate of highway construction. The techniques used to design and construct highways were changed to meet the demands of more and faster vehicles. In recent years, as a result of the Interstate and Appalachian programs, highway construction has greatly accelerated. Little consideration has been given to its effect on fish and wildlife resources. With every mile of highway construction there is a loss in wildlife habitat. Road surfaces and sterile cuts and fills are subtracted from the original habitat supply. This habitat cannot be recovered. When you measure the amount of highways constructed and the plans for the future, this represents a sizeable loss. The fenced or limited access highway will restrict the sportsman's movement into his favorite hunting or fishing area. Road construction and maintenance near bodies of water can have a decided impact upon fishery resources. Highways frequently follow and cross stream courses. The highway engineer must be concerned with |