COMMENT ON THE SUPPLEMENTAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

Dear Officials,

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I am writing to express my deep concern regarding the recently released Supplemental Environmental Assessment (SEA) for the Wardensville-to-Virginia state line section of Corridor H. While I appreciate that an updated review is underway, the limited scope of this SEA falls far short of what is necessary for a project of this magnitude and long-term impact. I strongly urge the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the West Virginia Division of Highways (WVDOH) to commit to preparing a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS).

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The last full EIS for Corridor H was conducted in 1996—nearly 30 years ago. Since then, the Wardensville area has changed dramatically. It has become a vibrant hub for small businesses, artists, and eco-tourism, all of which rely on the area's natural beauty, clean water, and small-town charm. A short-form environmental assessment cannot adequately account for these evolving dynamics or the irreversible damage that could result from highway construction.

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Key concerns that require a full EIS include:

• Water Quality and Public Health: The proposed highway route runs directly through Wardensville’s Wellhead Protection Area, which safeguards the town’s drinking water. This poses a direct risk to the water supply for hundreds of residents and deserves far more rigorous analysis and mitigation planning than the SEA provides.

• Displacement of Local Families: The route displaces several residents, including families who have lived on and cared for their land for generations. This not only creates personal hardship, but erodes the social fabric and heritage of the community.

• Threats to National Forest Lands and Protected Streams: The project impacts the George Washington National Forest, as well as Tier 3 protected streams like Trout Run and Waites Run—some of the cleanest and most ecologically sensitive waters in the state.

• Increased Carbon Emissions and Forest Loss: Building a four-lane highway in the midst of a global climate crisis—through intact forest—runs counter to the need for reducing emissions and protecting carbon sinks. 

• Uncertain Purpose and Lack of Long-Term Viability: Without a firm commitment from Virginia to complete the connection to I-81, this segment could become a “road to nowhere.” A full EIS must reevaluate the purpose and need for this project based on present-day transportation, economic, and community realities—not outdated plans from the 1990s.

• Impacts to Wardensville’s Main Street and Local Economy: The highway threatens to divert traffic away from Wardensville’s historic Main Street, where a budding small business community has taken root. These locally owned shops, restaurants, and galleries rely on the town’s walkability, scenic charm, and visitor traffic. Bypassing or disrupting this area could stall the momentum of a thriving local economy that has been built carefully over the last two decades.
   

Given the long-lasting and irreversible impacts this highway could have on Wardensville, its people, and its natural environment, a full EIS is not just legally and procedurally appropriate—it is morally and practically necessary.
 

Thank you for the opportunity to comment. I respectfully request that you do the right thing for this community and the future of West Virginia by initiating a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement for the Wardensville-to-Virginia segment of Corridor H.

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Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City, State]
[Your Email (optional)]