WV Farm Bureau Magazine April 2014 | Page 5

Something to Think About Don Michael, WVFB Director of Governmental Affairs History “under the radar” . . . with a legislative twist – Years ago a good friend shared a tidbit that deserves a place in West Virginia history. I thought it was “cool” at the time, but didn’t think more about it until this year’s legislative “ session. Following the session I was at the NCAA tourney in Raleigh, NC with my son, a cousin and the good friend in question – Dr. Jimmie Dale Hissem, D.D.S. from Salem, WV. I asked Jim to share his historical experience with the group and they were amazed. celebrity prepared to leave North Bend, he caught Jim outside the pool area and gave him a one-onone performance (a capella) of his new song. It was nearly a year later when Jim heard the song on the radio – Take Me Home, Country Roads – and realized the young camper he had befriended was none other than John Denver. On March 7, 2014 the West Virginia Legislature adopted Take Me Home, Country Roads as one of our official state songs. There was great fanfare in and around the Dome during the announcement as all in earshot joined in singing one was great in and around of America’s most recognized songs. There fanfare the Dome during the announcement as all in earshot joined in singing one of America’s most recognized songs.” Jim notes, “The experience happened over 40 years ago, around 1970 or 1971 . . . too many years have gone by.” The season was summer and the site was North Bend State Park in Ritchie County, where Jim was chief lifeguard. Park employees were alerted a celebrity-type would be camping during the week and didn’t want any special treatment . . . in other words, provide the usual homespun hospitality and service afforded all guests. The camper’s identity was not revealed to park staff, thus he would blend in . . . which he truly did! To make a long story short, Jim taught this unknown guest how to dive and they had many conversations during the week, with their favorite topic being home-built airplanes – “We talked more about building airplanes than anything else.” As the guest’s camping experience was nearing an end, he mentioned his love for music. Jim was somewhat in a fog because he rarely listened to music, but he responded, “I wish someone would sing a song about West Virginia.” The next day as the unknown As I reported last month, water issues drove the 2014 Legislative Session. The water bill (SB 373) establishing the Water Resources Protection and Management Act and Aboveground Storage Tank Act was a 40-page document when it passed the Senate. By the time it was rewritten in the House and a multitude of amendments applied, it had grown to 90 pages. Legislation was completed on the bill on the final day of the Regular Session, shortly before adjournment at midnight. A few key points include: Large-quantity users of water (any person who withdraws over 300,000 gallons of water in any 30-day period from the state’s waters and any person who bottles water for resale regardless of quantity withdrawn) will be required to register with the DEP and provide requested survey information regarding withdrawals of the water resources. “Large-quantity user” excludes farm use, including watering livestock or poultry on a farm, though farms may voluntarily report water withdrawals to assist with the accuracy of the survey; Aboveground storage tanks exceeding 1320 gallons will need to be registered and subject to an annual registration fee to cover the cost of maintaining and overseeing the inventory and see Michael, page 25 West Virginia Farm Bureau News 5