WV Rivers News: WV Rivers’ Team Grows, Community Drinking Water Protection, Summer Events

WV Rivers’ Safe Water for WV Program is working with communities throughout the state to help water utilities implement their Source Water Protection Plans (SWPPs). We are hosting a webinar June 6 at 10am to highlight our SWPP Implementation Guide and talk about the effective partnerships being formed in communities that strengthen drinking water protection. In Marlinton, we recently held a meeting with partners to discuss a new project connecting the community to the importance of watershed protection. We will attend a meeting in Buckhannon next week to work on a similar project.

Join our webinar on June 6 to learn how to form partnerships in your community to achieve the common goal of drinking water protection.

Showcasing the Best of the Southern Mon. National Forest

WV Rivers gathered with friends old and new in the heart of the Monongahela National Forest for a special “Best of Birthplace of Rivers” weekend celebrating one of our state’s most outstanding public landscapes. Over two days we explored and learned about our public lands: from the habitat they provide for wildlife to the unique hydrology which provides drinking water for much of the state. Check out some of our favorite photos from the weekend here.

Learn to Monitor Water Quality Along Pipelines – June 24 in Alderson, WV

The WV/VA Water Quality Monitoring Program will be hosting a pipeline monitoring training in partnership with Friends of the Lower Greenbrier River in Alderson, WV on Saturday, June 24. Registration is required. Please register by Wednesday, June 21.

The pipeline monitoring training and protocol is designed to identify and minimize potential impacts from pipeline development on sensitive water, fish and wildlife resources.

Looking to get involved with local water quality monitoring efforts? Check out our directory of regional water quality monitoring programs.

West Virginians for Public Lands Campaign Grows

The West Virginians for Public Lands campaign is thrilled to announce the addition of Dave Bassage to the outreach team. Dave will work with West Virginia businesses to bring their voices to our campaign. Dave is a founder and former executive director of Friends of the Cheat, and comes to our campaign after a long career in the whitewater rafting business. “The public lands economy in West Virginia is much more than outdoor recreation,” said Dave.

“There are so many businesses, including eateries, brewpubs, and other travel related businesses that rely on our public lands to bring visitors to West Virginia.”

You can get involved in public lands defense by joining the West Virginians for Public Lands campaign. Sign-up for monthly e-newsletters here and stay tuned for future calls to action.

Save the Date: Elkpedition Picnic & Paddle, Labor Day, Sept. 4

Make a SPLASH and join West Virginia Rivers Coalition at Coonskin Park in Charleston, WV for a celebration of the Elk River on Labor Day, September 4, 2017, during our 2nd Annual Elkspedition Picnic & Paddle!

Join a flotilla of kayaks, canoes, rafts or anything else that floats for a celebratory 3.5-mile paddle on the Elk River! After the paddle, you’ll be treated to a good old-fashioned BBQ picnic.

Want to join the celebration but would rather stay on land? During the afternoon we’ll be hosting a free family-friendly Elk River festival featuring games, music, giveaways, and booths from local organizations that support clean water in West Virginia. Interested in tabling during the festival? Email ktyner@wvrivers.org.

The Elkspedition Picnic & Paddle is part of the Waterkeeper Alliance SPLASH event series and benefits the West Virginia Headwaters Waterkeeper. For more information on the SPLASH Event Series, presented nationally by Toyota, please visit www.splashseries.org.