THOMAS — A group of environmentalists and business owners say they have been informed that the West Virginia Division of Highways will consider a northern route for Corridor H from Parsons to Davis, after a petition asking for an alternate route was signed by more than 5,000 people.

The Go North Corridor H Alliance said it has been notified by email from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration that an upcoming report will include the study of “a Blackwater Avoidance Alternative,” an alternate route that has been supported by many local residents.

“We all want protection for one of the state’s most popular state parks, Blackwater Falls, as well as historic sites and a number of popular recreational trails that ROPA would heavily impact,” said Matt Marcus, manager of Blackwater Bikes in Davis.

A previous Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement study issued for the Parsons to Davis section was completed in 2007 but has yet to receive approval from the Federal Highway Administration and is now outdated, officials said.

Reevaluation of this study is underway and will now include study of a northern route in addition to the DOH’s preferred route, known as the Revised Original Preferred Alternative.

“Members of the Go North Corridor H Alliance applaud the Federal Highway Administration and the West Virginia Division of Highways for studying a northern route and addressing questions raised by stakeholders during the public comment periods,” said Olivia Miller, board member of the Stewards of the Potomac Highlands.

“A project of this magnitude will forever alter the landscape of Tucker County and our precious public lands, which provide the invaluable benefits of nature to us all,” Miller said. “Considering the extent of problems and mistakes made during construction of the Kerens to Parsons section of the Corridor, more research is needed to identify the route that will cause the least environmental harm during construction and afterward. I am optimistic that state highway officials will design a route aptly suited for this special area of West Virginia.”

The Federal Highway Administration and West Virginia Division of Highways are developing a Notice of Intent for the updated Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement, officials said. The Notice of Intent is expected to be published in the Federal Register later this year.

“We who live here know what a wonderful, unique place it is. The many visitors who love coming here and contribute to our local economy understand this, too,” said Linda Reeves, owner of The Studio Gallery in Thomas. “We only get one chance at this, and it needs to be a win-win for all of us. We are glad that citizen voices are being heard.”

Thomas resident and Tucker County native Rachelle Davis initiated the online petition, titled “A Better Route for Corridor H,” in 2022.

Davis said she created the petition to make it convenient for local residents to voice concerns about the DOH’s preferred route, the Revised Original Preferred Alternative.

Both the online petition and a paper version circulated locally state that the DOH-favored route would undermine the connection between the local communities, as well as making it dangerous to travel between the towns on foot or bicycle.

“We are excited about the opportunity for the Blackwater Avoidance Alternative to be considered, and we’re confident that Gov. Justice and the Department of Highways will see the wisdom of selecting this route,” said Judy Rodd, director of Friends of Blackwater, Inc. “We look forward to continuing our dialog with the Governor’s office and the Department of Highways.”

The Go North Corridor H is an alliance of environmental groups, business owners, and residents in Tucker, Randolph, Hardy and other nearby counties advocating for a route that will best serve the local communities and does the least harm to the environment.

For more information, go to go-northcorridorh.org or www.saveblackwater.org.