Friends of the Cheat has just received a donation of a four acres of
riverside land located just upstream of the Rockville Bridge along Big
Sandy Creek in
Preston County, WV. The donor, Oklahoma-based Chesapeake Energy
Corporation,
is the third largest independent producer of natural gas in the USA.

This donation fills a vital need. Current river and trail access is
haphazard
and informal, and could be cut off at any time. On busy days traffic jams
are
the rule. We  plan to create parking and river access facilities large
enough
to accommodate all whitewater paddlers, hikers, and fishermen who are drawn
to this beautiful river.

To do this, we need your help. Our fundraising goal is $10,000. Now is the
time for all of us who know and love the Big Sandy to step forward. All
those
who give $50 or more will receive a "Big Sandy Access Partner" sticker.

Please send your tax-deductible donations to:

Friends of Cheat
Big Sandy Access Project
119 S. Price Street #206
Kingwood, WV 26537

Or call 304-329-3621 - we accept credit cards!

Friends of Cheat is a non-profit watershed group whose goal is to "restore,
preserve, and promote the outstanding natural qualities of the Cheat River
watershed. Founded by paddlers in the mid-nineties, their focus has been on
neutralizing  sources of acid mine drainage within the watershed. Thanks to
their
efforts, water quality in the Cheat River and its tributaries is much
improved.
They hold an annual Cheat River Festival on the first weekend in May and
recently partnered with a local landowner and American Whitewater to
upgrade the
Jenkinsburg Access to the Cheat Canyon.

For more information please contact:

Charlie Walbridge
Route 1, Box A43B; Bruceton Mills, WV 26525
304-379-9002; ccwalbridge@cs.com