WV Rivers News: Chemical Manufacturers Want More Pollution in Our Water, Double Your Donation, New Rivers Gear

WV Rivers News: Chemical Manufacturers Want More Pollution in Our Water, New Rivers Gear

WV Rivers Urges WVDEP to Improve Water Quality Standards

You can watch videos of WV Rivers’ remarks during the water quality standards public meeting here.

On December 4, the WVDEP hosted a meeting for the public to hear from WV Rivers and the WV Manufacturers Association (WVMA) – the two organizations that submitted proposals to WVDEP to update human health criteria within our water quality standards. Read our blog to learn more about the human health criteria proposal we submitted to WVDEP. The WV Manufacturers Association’s proposal can be found here.

Over 40 people attended the meeting to learn about the proposals. WV Rivers’ made the case for our recommendations to improve water quality and protect the public’s health. The WV Manufacturers Association argued to weaken water protections and allow more chemical toxins in our water.

You can watch videos of our presentation and learn more here. Check out media coverage about the meeting here.

See what chemical pollution looks like on the big screen. Today, 12/6, Dark Waters, a new film starring Mark Ruffalo and Anne Hathaway hits theaters everywhere and the timing couldn’t be better. Dark Waters is based on the real-life chemical pollution of Washington, WV, a small town just outside of Parkersburg, by chemical manufacturer DuPont. For years, DuPont polluted Washington’s drinking water source with dangerous chemicals known as polyfluoroalkyl substances or PFAS.

It’s a cautionary tale about dangers of waterborne toxins and a stark reminder of why we need strong water quality protections. Watch the film’s trailer and read our blog on Dark Waters here.

New Report: Citizen Scientists Report 60 Potential Violations Along the MVP

Sediment laden water entering Oil Creek.

Over the summer, WV Rivers’ volunteers along the route of the Mountain Valley Pipeline held a Violation Blitz or Vioblitz, to document potential water quality violations along the route of the pipeline. Over a dozen volunteers documented approximately 60 potential permit violations by the Mountain Valley Pipeline across the two Virginias. WV Rivers reviewed the potential violations and submitted them to the WVDEP, who responded by sending inspectors out to follow-up on the citizen complaints.

To fully appreciate the work of the volunteers who organized the Vioblitz, we worked with our monitoring partner, Trout Unlimited, to create an interactive story map of their efforts. The map show the locations the volunteers visited, if any violations were identified, and the regulatory agencies’ response to the violation report. Check it out here.

Double Your Year-End Donation to WV Rivers

Big News! Our friends at Patagonia are matching donations to WV Rivers made through their giving platform dollar for dollar through December 31! Make a donation here.

WV Rivers depends on donations from supporters like you to advocate for clean water and wild public lands. Last year, we made great strides for healthier streams, which you can learn about in our special year-end report.

We’re counting on your donation to carry our mission forward in 2020. Don’t wait! Double your impact for clean water and make donation here.

Advise WV Rivers Next Strategic Plan – Take Our Confidential Survey

2020 marks the start of West Virginia Rivers Coalition’s new 3-year strategic plan and we need your feedback!

Let us know how we are doing, and how we can better serve you and the rivers and streams of West Virginia. Your responses through our easy and confidential survey will help us prioritize our work. Whether your a new supporter or a longtime member, we want to hear from you!

WV Rivers Hats and T-shirts for Everyone on Your Holiday Shopping List

Give yourself or the river lovers in your life a gift that gives back.

Your purchase of a WV Rivers t-shirt or hat supports clean water and wild public lands in West Virginia.

Our t-shirts are available in unisex and women’s cut. New for the holiday season is a hellbender tee designed by artist Eddie Spaghetti.

These items will go fast, so make sure you purchase your WV Rivers’ t-shirts today!

WV Rivers Shares Experience with Diversity and Innovation at Chesapeake Watershed Forum

The Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Annual Chesapeake Watershed Forum brings together individuals and organizations from across the Chesapeake Watershed for a weekend of learning and fellowship.

This year, the theme of the Chesapeake Watershed Forum was “Better Together: Diverse and Innovative Collaborations for the Chesapeake Watershed.” Diversity and innovation are threads that run through all of WV Rivers work and we were honored to be part of three of the Forum’s workshops. Learn more about WV Rivers role at the Forum here.

Comedy Night Benefiting Clean Water – Charles Town, 12/18

Join West Virginia Rivers Coalition at Abolitionist Ale Works in Charles Town on Wednesday, December 18, for a night of stand-up comedy, featuring celebrity comedian Robert Mac. 10% of ticket sales will be donated to WV Rivers, benefiting clean water and wild public lands in West Virginia.

Robert Mac is best known as the Grandprize Winner of Comedy Central’s national “Laugh Riots” competition. Tickets are limited, so grab yours today by calling Abolitionist at (681) 252-1548, or online here.