PHOTOS: Capito Tours New Canaan Valley Multi-Purpose Facility

DAVIS, W.Va. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) today hosted U.S. Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate MacGregor and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Director Aurelia Skipwith in West Virginia for a tour of the new LEED-certified visitor center and headquarters facility at Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge. Today’s stop follows Senator Capito’s visit to the facility construction site with Interior Secretary David Bernhardt last July.

“Today’s visit was such a treat because I was able to see the progress being made on the Canaan Valley federal facilities,” Senator Capito said. “I have worked to secure the federal funding needed for a new Visitors Center at Canaan Valley for years, and the final product will be state-of-the-art buildings that educate and encourage conservation in wild and wonderful West Virginia. From attracting new visitors to making it easier for West Virginians and anyone else visiting our state to enjoy and appreciate this area’s natural beauty, this new center is going to be such an asset to the refuge and to our state. Deputy Secretary MacGregor and Director Skipwith were extremely impressed and excited, and their confidence underscores the important work being done here.”

“This new visitor center is a prime example of the Trump Administration’s investment in our public lands and aging infrastructure. By opening up the new visitor center and increasing new fishing opportunities, we hope our visitors have the best of experiences here in beautiful Canaan Valley,” said Deputy Secretary MacGregor. “We look forward to working with Senators Capito and Manchin on continuing future infrastructure investments in the Mountaineer state with funds from the Great American Outdoors Act.”

“This investment at Canaan Valley exemplifies the Trump Administration’s and the Secretary’s commitment to connecting people with nature through hunting, fishing and outdoor experiences,” said Fish and Wildlife Service Director Aurelia Skipwith. “Investment in infrastructure is also a key part of ensuring a positive visitor experience, and I thank Senators Capito and Manchin for their support of the Great American Outdoors Act.  FWS plans to open the refuge to recreational freshwater fishing, open an additional 342 acres to hunting, and expand hunting opportunities in 754 acres according to state regulations.”

The new facility includes a reception and exhibit space and multipurpose room for the public, as well as administrative offices to house staff from the refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) West Virginia Ecological Services field office, and the Office of Law Enforcement. Construction is also underway to expand outdoor recreation opportunities and improve trails at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.

The USFWS plans to hold a grand opening of the facility for the community in 2021. For more information and photos, visit: https://www.fws.gov/northeast/west-virginia-facility/

Photo highlights from the tour are included below:

Senator Capito, Deputy Secretary MacGregor, and Director Skipwith stand outside the new visitor’s center with Refuge Manager Ron Hollis.

Senator Capito, Deputy Secretary MacGregor, and Director Skipwith hear more about the work FWS does at Canaan Valley.

Senator Capito and Deputy Director MacGregor receive an update on the boardwalk.  

BACKGROUND

In its FY2018 budget justification plan, the Department of the Interior outlined how it will spend the fund appropriated for Fish and Wildlife Service Construction. The plan included $7 million for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center and Administrative Building.

Below is a timeline of Senator Capito’s efforts to secure this funding:

• May 2015 – Senator Capito visits the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge with Wendi Weber, Northeast Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).

• July 2015 – Senator Capito sends a letter to FWS urging that the construction of a new visitor center at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge be prioritized in upcoming budget plans.

• August 2015 – FWS sends a letter to Senator Capito reiterating that they did not have adequate funding in the FY2016 budget but would continue working with Senator Capito on this issue through the budget process.

• September 2015 – Senator Capito again visits the visitor center with staff.

• December 2015 – Senator Capito speaks with FWS Regional Director Weber about funding for construction of the new visitor center in the agency’s upcoming budget. She also hosts a follow-up call with Weber on the funding issue.

• February 2016 – Senator Capito raises this issue with then-Interior Secretary Sally Jewell during an Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing on the Department of the Interior’s FY2017 budget.

• June 2017 – Senator Capito raises the need for a new visitor center with Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke at an Interior Appropriations Subcommittee hearing.

• November 2017 – The FY2018 Interior appropriations legislation includes the following language authored by Senator Capito: “Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.—The Committee recognizes the importance of the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, and understands the need raised by the community for a new visitor’s center at the refuge to help promote conservation, education, and visitors services in the Canaan Valley. The Committee also understands the Service prioritizes and invests limited construction resources based on Department-wide criteria. The Committee urges the Service to prioritize funding for the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge and consider submitting a request for a new visitor center in its fiscal year 2019 budget.”

• March 2018 – The Omnibus Appropriations Act contains the following report language authored by Senator Capito: “Visitor Services. The Committees encourage the [FWS] to consider prioritizing funding for a new visitor center at the Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge.”

• April 2018 – Senator Capito again meets with Regional Director Weber.

• May 2018 – Senator Capito discusses the need for a new visitor center with Secretary Zinke at an Appropriations subcommittee hearing and asks why the project has not been prioritized. The Secretary commits to action.

• June 2018 – Senator Capito announces the Department of the Interior will provide $7 million in funding for the construction of a new Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center.

• July 2019 – Senator Capito visits the Canaan Valley Refuge with Interior Secretary Bernhardt to oversee construction of the new visitors’ center.

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