Boundary commission says wind developer survey OK

The three-member West Virginia boundary commission said on November 19 that a survey done by a Virginia wind energy developer to determine the exact location of the state line is accurate.

Governor Joe Manchin formed the committee after the developer, Highland New Wind Development, LLC (HNWD), issued a site plan with the state line between Pocahontas County and Highland County, Virginia, redrawn on the base USGS topographic map.

The Pocahontas County Commission alerted the governor, who activated the commission and ordered an investigation.

Two members of the boundary commission, Charles Sypolt and Curt Keplinger, visited the site of the proposed wind farm on October 31 to inspect the work of HNWD surveyor Jeffrey Hiner. A third member, Tom Rayburn analyzed satellite and other data.

The boundary commission held a public meeting on November 19 at the State Capitol complex in Charleston to issue its preliminary findings.

The West Virginia boundary commission discusses its findings at a November 19 public meeting at the State Capitol complex. Left to right: Curt Keplinger, Tom Rayburn, Craig Neidig of the US Geological Survey and Professor Charles Sypolt. Photo by Geoff Hamill

A draft of those findings states that “Hiner used modern equipment in the proper manner to establish a portion of the state boundary on the top of Allegheny Mountain between West Virginia and Virginia.”

Sypolt, who was elected chairman at the meeting, said he believed the concerns of the Pocahontas County Commission and the formation of the boundary commission were justified.

Please see the full story in the print edition on Thursday.