Updates from WV Rivers Coalition
April 2024 E-News – Earth Day Round Up!
As Earth Day approaches, we’re highlighting conservation efforts happening right here in West Virginia.
Before we start, however, a thank you is in order. In the first quarter, we sent a lot of emails, many of which were Action Alerts. In total, our community sent 37,482 messages urging decision-makers to protect our land, water, air, and communities.
Our work is effective because people like you remain committed to preserving the natural beauty of our mountain streams and ensuring a future where generations to come can continue to call West Virginia home. Thank YOU for your advocacy.
We hope you and yours are enjoying the beginning signs of a West Virginia Spring as much as we are. May this season inspire us all to renew our commitment to protecting the wild and scenic beauty that surrounds us!
-MS
Maggie Stange
Communications Manager
WV Rivers Coalition
Yellow trout lilies (Erythronium americanum) grow from the forest floor, thriving in shady woodland areas. Their name comes from the similarity between the spots of its leaves and those of a brown or brook trout!
Quick Takes from the WV Rivers Team
WV Rivers’ and 777 Supporters Back EPA’s Methane Rule
Autumn Crowe: “The EPA’s Methane Emissions Charge will improve public health and hold polluting industries accountable. With many West Virginians living near oil and gas facilities, we cannot delay implementation of this commonsense rule. It not only reduces residents’ exposure to harmful air pollutants but also spurs our economy through job creation in the methane mitigation sector.”
WVDEP Rejects Chemours Optima Belle Consent Order
Jenna Dodson: “WVDEP’s decision to reject Chemours Optima Belle’s Consent Order is a victory for transparency, public health, and environmental justice. It sends a clear message that the well-being of our communities and the protection of our rivers must be prioritized over corporate interests. We applaud this decision and remain vigilant in our commitment to safeguarding our waters.”
Biden Administration Announces Action on PFAS
Heather Sprouse: “EPA’s drinking water standards for these six PFAS is a landmark step in prioritizing public health. For far too long, communities have suffered from increased health care costs and decreased quality of life while corporations profit. We commend the Biden-Harris Administration for investing in the health and wellbeing of communities in West Virginia and across the county.”
New DOI Rule Protects West Virginians and Public Lands
Mike Jones: As an organization deeply committed to advocating for clean water for all West Virginians, visitors, and our neighbors downstream, we applaud the Department of the Interior’s updates to the oil and gas rule, which will create healthy communities and remove the burden of clean-up from West Virginia taxpayers — and hold oil and gas companies accountable to pay for clean up after drilling.
Two Actions You Can Take for Our Planet Right Now
1. Support Policy Change to Keep West Virginians Safe from Toxic “Forever Chemicals” Used by the Oil & Gas Industry
A recent report from Physicians for Social Responsibility (PSR) uncovered alarming data regarding the widespread use of PFAS “forever chemicals” in oil and gas drilling operations in northern West Virginia.
The best science tells us that PFAS chemicals are highly toxic at very low levels and can cause serious adverse health effects.
The report reveals that over the past decade, the oil and gas industry has injected nearly 70 million pounds of undisclosed “trade secret” chemicals into wells, potentially including PFAS variants. Such contamination jeopardizes the safety of our groundwater, with unsafe PFAS levels detected in the raw water supply of 130 community water systems throughout the state.
These findings not only highlight the urgent need for stronger regulations but also underscore the imminent threat posed to our precious water resources and public health.
In response to PSR’s report findings, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, West Virginia Environmental Council, West Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, West Virginia Citizen Action Group, Potomac Riverkeepers, and West Virginia Surface Owners’ Rights Organization urged West Virginia to take immediate action to resolve this problem.
Today, we’re asking you to join us in calling for the state to require the Oil and Gas Industry to be transparent in reporting PFAS usage and accountable for PFAS treatment costs in contaminated drinking water.
You can review our policy recommendations and add your voice as a citizen signer here.
Thank you for helping to protect our water and health!
If you would like to learn more about this report, you can watch our recent webinar with Halt the Harm and Physicians for Social Responsibility here.
2. Support Clean Water for All West Virginians!
In a landmark victory, West Virginia Rivers Coalition, West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, and the Sierra Club reached an agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to address the longstanding issue of ionic toxicity pollution in our state’s streams caused by coal mining.
Mountaintop removal mining and other forms of surface coal mining harm streams by producing high levels of ionic toxicity pollution. This pollution can increase the “conductivity” – or salinity – of freshwater streams, making the water too salty for aquatic life to survive and disrupting entire ecosystems. Ionic toxicity can also impact communities by affecting drinking water quality and increasing water treatment costs.
For too long, West Virginia has resisted the Clean Water Act’s requirements to address high-conductivity ionic toxicity pollution from coal mines, which harms streams and leads to violations of water quality standards.
Thanks to decades-long advocacy efforts, we are taking a significant step forward in protecting our waterways, but we need your help to keep this momentum flowing.
The proposed consent decree requires the EPA to develop Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for ionic toxicity pollution for 11 high-priority West Virginia streams by January 15, 2025. This is a crucial step towards restoring the health of our streams and ensuring clean water for generations to come.
After you’ve taken action, help spread the word. Share this newsletter with your friends, family, and community to raise awareness about the importance of clean water in West Virginia.
Our Clean Water Mural Travels to Morgantown
Join WV Rivers and Friends of Decker Creek (FODC) at the Morgantown Public Library on May 7 from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. as we showcase the vital role of water conservation and restoration in our community — and for a chance to win a State Park gift card!
We’re excited to hear from FODC about their success in addressing Acid Mine Drainage (AMD) in Deckers Creek. AMD, a pollutant from abandoned coal mines, has long impacted the watershed, threatening aquatic life and contaminating waterways. Thanks to their dedicated efforts, positive changes are happening.
The mural is currently on display at the Ohio County Public Library in Wheeling and will be at the Morgantown Public Library now until May 10. Then, it will travel to Five Rivers Public Library in Tucker County.
What: Splish Splash: Clean Water Celebration
When: Tuesday, May 7, 2024 from 6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
Where: Meeting Room A at the Morgantown Public Library
RSVP for “Water is Life” Webinar with Black Appalachian Coalition and Ohio River Valley Institute
Join Black Appalachian Coalition’s April Webinar: Water is Life on April 18 at 12 PM. During this webinar, participants will learn about water pollution sources, health harms, and how to protect your home and community. The webinar is part of their Lunch and Learn Series 2024: Your Heath.
Please RSVP here: https://bit.ly/yourhealthandenvironment
WV Rivers Welcomes Shannon Cunningham-Snead, Our New Director of Finance and Operations! A native of Lewis County, Shannon grew up with a love of the outdoors, swimming in the Buckhannon River and being quizzed by her dad on tree names.
She later moved to Nashville, TN, where she earned her B.A. in Sociology and Religious Studies from Vanderbilt University and her Master’s degree in Public Administration from Tennessee State University. Various roles in nonprofit programming, training, and volunteer management led Shannon to come home to West Virginia to work in philanthropy and nonprofit leadership. Her love of systems and organizational sustainability work is a great fit for her new position with WV Rivers, where she will lead our administrative functions.
Shannon is a graduate of Leadership West Virginia and a member of the steering committee of the newly launched Leadership Lewis. She lives in Harrison County with her husband, son, two dogs, and a cat. She loves to read, cook, travel, and walk through the woods.
Heather Sprouse Promoted to Community Engagement Manager! Previously, Heather served as WV Rivers’ Ohio River Coordinator.
Heather grew her love of mountains in the old forest on her grandparent’s farm in southern West Virginia. She holds a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Sociology from Marshall University, where she focused on community and leadership development.
At WV Rivers, Heather joins networks of local leaders to advance advocacy strategies that uplift frontline priorities for clean water and well-being. Outside of work, Heather enjoys hiking, swimming, and spending time in her gardens.
Upcoming Earth Day Events around the State
Touch the Earth Festival
Date: April 20
Time: 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Location: Marilla Park, Morgantown, WV
Earth Day Block Party: Planet Vs. Plastics
Date: April 20
Time: 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Wheeling University
Earth Day Celebration at Morgan’s Grove Park
Date: April 27
Time: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Location: Shepherdstown, WV
Shinnston Earth Day Dash
Date: April 20, 2024
Location: Shinnston, WV
Family STEM: Earth Day – Water Wonders
Date: April 20, 2024
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Kanawha County Public Library, Charleston, WV
Earth Day Tree Planting
Date: April 20, 2024
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Location: Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge, Davis, WV
Fayetteville’s Earth Day Weekend
Dates: April 20-21, 2024
Time: All weekend!
Location: Fayetteville, WV
Greenbrier River Watershed Earth Day Celebration
Date: April 20
Time: 3:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Location: Lewisburg, WV
Huntington’s Earth Day Community Cleanup
Date: April 20
Time: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Huntington, WV
Central City’s Earth & Culture Day
Date: April 20
Time: 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Location: Huntington, WV
Earth Day Tree Planting
Date: April 20
Time: 10:00 AM
Location: Evitts Run Park, Charles Town, WV
Earth Day Parent/Child Activities
Date: April 20
Time: 12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Location: Sophia, WV
Earth Day Celebration
Date: April 20
Time: 11:00 AM
Location: Pipestem, WV
Earth Day Craft Time: Magazine Paper Beads
Date: April 23
Time: 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Location: Elkview, WV
One Other Thing…
The Cutleaf Toothwort (Cardamine concatenata) emerges and flowers only briefly. Known affectionately as Crow’s Toes, this medicinal marvel weaves its underground rhizomes into webs of healing.
Earlier this month, WV Rivers gathered in Shepherdstown for a retreat. Each of us holds a deep-rooted connection with our land and waters — and a commitment to safeguarding our natural heritage against all odds.
We’re keenly aware of the uphill battle we face in the year ahead. With the generosity of supporters like you, however, we will continue championing clean water and healthy streams well beyond our 35th year.
Today is the first time I will ask you to support WV Rivers as Interim Executive Director of an organization I believe wholeheartedly in.
Since sending our Sping Fundraising Letter, we’ve seen contributions from dozens of people. Now, we are about $27,500 short of our goal.
Whether you can give $5 or $500, your donation powers our advocacy for our land, water, and communities. Will you help us close this gap with a contribution today?
You can donate here: https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/donate
Thank you,
Autumn Crowe
Interim Executive Director, WV Rivers Coalition
