Cheat Canyon tract to be preserved for wildlife

ALBRIGHT, W.Va. (AP) - A segment of the Cheat Canyon will become a state wildlife management area and a nature preserve

The 3,800-acre property stretches about 7 miles from Albright’s outskirts to a segment of Sandy Creek.

The Conservation Fund and the Nature Conservancy bought the property from The Forestland Group. The conservation groups plan to transfer the property to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources over the next two years for establishment of a wildlife management area.

The wildlife management area will include a nature preserve managed by the DNR and owned by the Nature Conservancy.

Media outlets report that the conservation groups and the DNR announced the deal late last week.