6/17/2008
West Virginia Division of Natural Resources (DNR) Senior Planner Steve Brown recently received the Silver Trout Award from the West Virginia Council of Trout Unlimited (TU) for his work in leading and expanding water restoration efforts in the state.
One of his first assignments for DNR in the 1980s was in the early planning efforts for the Limestone Sand Neutralization Program, which involves the use of limestone sand to neutralize streams contaminated by acid raid and acid mine drainage, making them habitable for trout and other wildlife. As DNR senior planner, he now works closely with DNR Asst. Chief of Coldwater Fisheries Mike Shingleton, the Division of Environmental Protection, the U.S. Forest Service, private landowners such as MeadWestvaco and Plum Creek, other agencies, and whoever is necessary to accomplish the various trout stream neutralization projects.
“The Limestone Sand Neutralization Program is the most important single effort being carried out to conserve, protect and restore trout in the state,” said TU Council Chair Larry Orr, who presented the Council’s Silver Trout Award to at the Spring Council Meeting at Handley on May 24. “He is being primarily recognized for his work in leading and expanding multiple liming projects within this program. He is largely responsible for the operation of the limestone drum distribution stations, such as those located in the Cranberry River watershed.”
Other large limestone sand projects that Brown is involved in include Tea Creek, the Cherry River watershed, the Blackwater River, the Middle Fork of the Williams River, Abrams Creek and many more.
Brown also has been involved in helping obtain the Compton property on the upper Elk River, and he has been involved in several brown trout fingerling stocking projects. In addition, Steve has donated photographic art work to West Virginia Trout Unlimited for fund raising purposes.
Contact Information
Curtis Taylor
(304) 558-2771
wildlife@wvdnr.gov