On August 11, 2017, a ceremonial planting of six B3F3s and one American chestnut (from TACF board member, Jack Lamonica) was held at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Tygart Lake office in Grafton WV, organized by Manager, Stacy Lewis. Robert Sypolt, President of TACF’s WV Chapter made some brief remarks, followed by Dr. William MacDonald, Mark Double and Amy Metheny from West Virginia University. Their remarks were followed by Colonel John Lloyd of the Corps, who stated that many people think the Army Corps of Engineers only build dams; however, the Army Corps is involved with many sustainable ventures and they are delighted to partner with TACF to help restore American chestnut in eastern forests. A ceremonial tree was planted by Colonel Lloyd, Amy Metheny and Boy Scout Brock Lewis.
Tygart Lake and Dam encompasses nearly 6,000 acres in north-central WV. The dam was authorized by the Rivers and Harbors Acts of 1935, providing navigation and water to downstream locks and dams. The Tygart dam provides flood protection for the lower Tygart River Valley as well as the Monongahela and upper Ohio Rivers.
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employees involved with the planting included: Ranger Tom Handy, Manager Stacy Lewis, Mark Hancock (Corps Maintenance), John Chopp (Pittsburgh District biologist), Joe Kolodzsiej (area ranger), Kim Poling (area office assistant), Mira Hess, Tygart Lake project assistant, Colonel John Lloyd, Richard Lockwood (Chief of Operations for the Pittsburgh district). The pledge of allegiance was led by Brock Lewis, Webelos II.
