Hurricane residents, mayor seek alternatives to preserve Meeks Mountain Trail system

HURRICANE, W.Va. (WCHS) — Community members came out Tuesday to share their concerns over a new proposed transmission system which would run through the Meeks Mountain Trail system.

People are worried for the future of Meeks Mountain Trails. They said they regularly use these trails and would hate to see them potentially be destroyed.

Hurricane Mayor Scott Edwards said he's been in contact with American Electric Power officials and is giving them the chance to work with the city and Meeks Mountain Trails to come up with a better location for the transmission system and substation.

"Let's do what's right, let's move some things around, reengineer this,"Edwards said. "We do need electric, there's no question. Teays Valley and Hurricane, we need new transmission lines, we need the new substation. It just doesn't need to be located where it is and we want to work with them."

Edwards said the trails aren't just something locals enjoy, but they also bring people to the area from around the region.

"There's an economic impact that the trail system has made, and we know the devastation that will be caused if they traverse the trail system," Edwards said.

The mayor said Meeks Mountain Trails is made up of 32 miles of manmade trails. About 500 people volunteered their time over the past six years to build and keep them up.

Vince Turley is a community member who enjoys the trails regularly and he came to voice his concerns on Tuesday.

"It's a special group of people that has come together here and really put in blood and sweat and tears every week to build and sustain this trail system," Turley said.

Appalachian Power Director of Communications George Porter told Eyewitness News the plan is not yet set in stone.

"We want to try to rebuild on center line, but when you look at the option of affecting 75 homes, it's mandatory, or we feel obligated to look at other options, so the trail is one of those options," Porter said.

Edwards said he's hopeful that with the community support, they can come to the right conclusion.

"It is truly one of the centers of our community. I always call it the gem of Hurricane, and it then became the gem of Putnam county," he said.

Another open house will be held Wednesday at the Winfield Community Center from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. to further discuss this proposition.

People are encouraged to come out and voice their opinions and concerns.