The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve The Summit Bechtel Family National Scout Reserve, a Boy Scouts of America (BSA) reserve that lies on 10,600 acres along the New River near Beckley, is a site that many are surprised to find is located on prior surface mined land. “The fact that this was previously mining property made this project possible,” says Steve McGowan, lead volunteer for the Summit Bechtel project. “The benches and roads of the mine mean the road infrastructure was already in place and will save the BSA about $100 million in development costs.” Included at the site are a National Center for Scouting Excellence, a High Adventure Base and a National Scout Summer Camp, which will give scouts and volunteers from all over the country a chance to learn about nature and participate in team building activities such as whitewater rafting, zip lining, target sports and rock climbing. In addition, the summit is the new home of the Boy Scouts of America National Jamboree, which is held every four years and hosts scouts from all over the country. “Some of the areas that were mined by small mountaintop removal projects have left the BSA with hundreds of flat acres to support program elements with panoramic vistas of the
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surrounding areas,” says McGowan. “We believe this project is not only restoring the land but the spirit of the land and its people as well.” According to a study conducted by Syneva Economics, LLC, operations at the summit will create more than 1,100 jobs and inject more than $25 million into the local economy, resulting in more than $9 million in tax revenue. The jamboree is expected to attract 250 thousand additional scouts and volunteers that will add $16 million every four years. The ability to recover a prior mine and configure it to whatever use the future owner needs can be a major factor in attracting business and encouraging tourism within the state. “This project will bring people to West Virginia and introduce its natural beauty to the world,” says McGowan. “It makes a statement that with vision and partnerships we can have both the energy we need and the opportunity to do great things with West Virginia’s most abundant natural resource—its basic scenic beauty.” Photography by the West Virginia National Guard and Boy Scouts of America