Clean Up and Restore Safe Public Access to Lower Falls on the Coal River
The Issue
To the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Leadership,
We, the residents of Saint Albans, Kanawha County, and the surrounding communities, are writing to formally demand immediate intervention and a permanent solution regarding the public access site on Strawberry Road at Lower Falls on the Coal River.
Currently, this state-owned property is being subjected to ongoing abuse, including illegal long-term camping, unchecked littering, and the creation of unregulated encampments. This situation has severely compromised a vital public asset, turning a beautiful natural resource into an environmental hazard and an area where local families no longer feel safe.
The Coal River is a major hub for community recreation, ecotourism, and major local events like the annual Tour de Coal, which brings thousands of visitors to Saint Albans. The current state of the Lower Falls access site reflects poorly on our community, threatens local water quality, and strips law-abiding citizens, kayakers, and anglers of their right to safely access the river.
While we recognize the complexities surrounding homelessness, a public DNR access site and environmentally sensitive riverbank is not a safe or legal location for long-term settlement.
Therefore, we petition the WVDNR to take the following actions:
1. Enforce Existing Laws: Regularly monitor and enforce state regulations regarding illegal camping, littering, and trespassing on DNR property at the Strawberry Road access site.
2. Clean and Restore the Site: Coordinate a thorough cleanup of the debris, trash, and abandoned property currently cluttering the riverbank to restore the natural environment.
3. Secure the Access Point: Implement long-term preventative measures—such as increased patrols, clearer signage, or physical barriers during closed hours—to prevent the re-establishment of illegal encampments.
Our community deserves clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces. We urge the WVDNR to take swift action to protect the Coal River and restore Lower Falls for everyone.
108
The Issue
To the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Leadership,
We, the residents of Saint Albans, Kanawha County, and the surrounding communities, are writing to formally demand immediate intervention and a permanent solution regarding the public access site on Strawberry Road at Lower Falls on the Coal River.
Currently, this state-owned property is being subjected to ongoing abuse, including illegal long-term camping, unchecked littering, and the creation of unregulated encampments. This situation has severely compromised a vital public asset, turning a beautiful natural resource into an environmental hazard and an area where local families no longer feel safe.
The Coal River is a major hub for community recreation, ecotourism, and major local events like the annual Tour de Coal, which brings thousands of visitors to Saint Albans. The current state of the Lower Falls access site reflects poorly on our community, threatens local water quality, and strips law-abiding citizens, kayakers, and anglers of their right to safely access the river.
While we recognize the complexities surrounding homelessness, a public DNR access site and environmentally sensitive riverbank is not a safe or legal location for long-term settlement.
Therefore, we petition the WVDNR to take the following actions:
1. Enforce Existing Laws: Regularly monitor and enforce state regulations regarding illegal camping, littering, and trespassing on DNR property at the Strawberry Road access site.
2. Clean and Restore the Site: Coordinate a thorough cleanup of the debris, trash, and abandoned property currently cluttering the riverbank to restore the natural environment.
3. Secure the Access Point: Implement long-term preventative measures—such as increased patrols, clearer signage, or physical barriers during closed hours—to prevent the re-establishment of illegal encampments.
Our community deserves clean, safe, and welcoming public spaces. We urge the WVDNR to take swift action to protect the Coal River and restore Lower Falls for everyone.
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Petition created on June 17, 2026