WV Rivers News: Water Quality Standards Up for Review, Spring Events and Workshops

West Virginia’s Water Quality Standards Up for Review

We see our involvement in West Virginia’s review of its water quality standards, the rules that control the amount of pollution in our waters, as one of the most important things we do.

Last week, we attended a meeting to learn WVDEP will propose changes to WV’s water quality standards for 53 pollutants. The changes involve “human health criteria” – specific levels of chemicals in a water body that are not expected to cause adverse effects to human health. Some of the concentrations are proposed to go up, some are proposed to go down from existing levels. It all relies on new federally-recommended criteria. Next month, the proposed changes will go out for public comment and we’ll provide the information you need to participate.

We expect two other important rules to be out for public comment in the coming weeks. One involves calculating permitted discharge limits, the other relates to how the state determines if a stream is biologically healthy. It’s going to be a busy spring and summer for water quality policy, so stay tuned – we’ll need your help!

Remembering Don Garvin, a Champion for Rivers

It’s with a heavy heart we share that Don Garvin, a clean water icon, has passed away. Don helped found WV Rivers and was our longest serving board member. You can view some photos of Don’s 28 years of service to WV Rivers here.

Don devoted his life to clean water and healthy headwater streams. His belief in always doing what is right for West Virginia’s streams – regardless of how challenging or futile it seems –remains a guiding principle of WV Rivers.

Angie Rosser, our executive director, shares a tribute to Don and the legacy he leaves behind, you can read it here.

Save Our Streams Training – May 19 in Elkins

TU and WV Rivers are partnering with the WVDEP Save Our Streams Program to train our volunteers in the WV/VA Water Quality Monitoring Program to conduct benthic macroinvertebrate assessments at their monitoring sites. We’ll be hosting a Save Our Streams training on Saturday, May 19, in Elkins, WV.

While this workshop is for volunteers in the WV/VA Water Quality Monitoring Program, spots are available for folks who are not part of the program. If you are interested in attending the SOS training, please contact WV Rivers’ program director, Autumn Crowe at acrowe@wvrivers.org or 304-992-6070 by Wednesday, May 16, 2018.

Free Webinar: Grant Funding & Communications Tools

As part of WV Rivers’ capacity building webinar series for watershed organizations, we’re hosting a FREE webinar on grant funding and communications tools that can help your watershed group accomplish its goals. The webinar, Funding and Communications for Watershed Organizations, will be held on April 18 from 10am-11am, register here.

Learn about 319 Grants and AGOs from Martin Christ, Basin Coordinator with the WVDEP Watershed Improvement Branch. Kathleen Tyner, Communications Director at WV Rivers Coalition, will share communications tips and tools to effectively share your mission with the public.

Pipeline Visual Assessment Program Video Training

The WV/VA Pipeline Visual Assessment Program was developed by Trout Unlimited and West Virginia Rivers Coalition to support and train volunteer citizen observers to identify, document and report pollution incidents associated with large-scale pipeline development through online video trainings. No special equipment required!

You can participate in the Pipeline Visual Assessment Program by signing-up here.

Public Lands News: Federal Budget Good for Public Lands

Seneca Creek is one of the iconic “roadless” areas in West Virginia. Photo by Matt Kearns.

The 2018 federal budget brings good news, and more funding, to West Virginia’s public lands. The National Park Service receives more money toward their maintenance backlog and the Forest Service gets a long overdue fix to the way they fund the rapidly growing costs offirefighting.

West Virginia should see improved access in the Gauley River National Recreation Area thanks to a small increase in the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The budget negotiations also left out controversial anti-conservation language targeting backcountry roadless areas and the Endangered Species Act. Thanks to everyone who spoke up for our public lands!

Want more in-depth information on public lands issues? Sign-up for West Virginians for Public Lands news, and like WVPL on Facebook.

Join WV Rivers at the Panhandle Earth Day Celebration

WV Rivers and our partners with Safe Water Jefferson County are hosting the first-ever Harpers Ferry WaterFaire at the annual Panhandle Earth Day celebration in Sam Michael’s Park near Harpers Ferry. The day begins with a tree planting along Elks Run at 10am, hosted by the Cacapon Institute. Then head over to the WaterFaire tents for exhibits, interactive displays about Elks Run, a scavenger hunt, and prizes. Elks Run is the water supply for Harpers Ferry and Bolivar. Find out how to save thousands of dollars on septic repair! Learn how you can keep our drinking water safe, and join the growing community of people who care! More information is available here.

Wilderness First Aid Class Gives Back to WV Rivers

Are you interested in taking a wilderness first aid class?

MEDIC SOLO Disaster + Wilderness Medical School will be offering an in-depth 2-day training in Charleston, WV, April 21-22. MEDIC SOLO is generously donating 10% of class proceeds to WV Rivers!

The 2-day class costs $195 and requires advance registration, sign-up here.