The proposed RV park at Bailey Bottom in Mount Hope, West Virginia, has hit legal obstacles. The city council received a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) dated July 7, stating that construction on land acquired through a floodplain buyout program is not allowed. The site lies in a flood zone and is subject to easements that prohibit building and “developed recreation.” The program aims to restore floodplains to natural conditions.
At a July 14 meeting, the council voted 3:2 against relocating the project, opting instead to take a month for consultations with federal agencies. Mayor Michael Kessinger said the project’s prospects “don’t look good.” Council member Patricia Connelly called for an independent investigation into possible misleading statements regarding federal grants. Residents expressed concerns about safety and transparency.