Petition to The Governor of West Virginia, Legislature of the State of West Virginia, and the Department of Natural Resources

Subject Matter: Recent changes to the activities that will be available at Berwind Lake as well as reduction in staff.

Statement of Subject Matter and What is Requested: A few McDowell County residents learned on Monday, January 4, 2016 that on Saturday, January 9, 2016 Berwind Lake was being switched to Wildlife Management section of Department of Natural Resources due to budget cuts. Said cuts will result in no park superintendent; no pool; no shelter/pavilion rentals; possibly no campgrounds; maybe only one staff to maintain the grounds.

We, the petitioners, hereby ask that Berwind Lake receive enough funding to maintain a park superintendent, the pool, shelter rentals, and campgrounds. This small, yet most significant resource, is the only recreation facility in Big Creek District except for a small community park that offers playground equipment and a basketball court.

Furthermore, we respectfully request that any future proposed cuts be made public so that the citizens and local government can perhaps have input to where/how these budget cuts be made. Given time, the local citizenry could hopefully locate private and/or corporate donors to assist in maintaining the Lake and its activities.

Signatories: Each person signing this petition is at least 18 years of age.