Updates from WV Rivers Coalition
August 2025
A Message from Deputy Director, Autumn Crowe
We dove into the archives to find this picture of Autumn monitoring water quality during her first couple of years with WV Rivers Coalition.
Ten years ago, I packed up my life out West and came home to West Virginia. I didn’t know exactly what was ahead, but I knew one thing for certain: my heart belonged here, with these mountains, these rivers, and this community.
Not long before, I had watched from afar as the Elk River chemical spill unfolded in 2014. It was the first time I felt that deep ache of being away. I remember thinking, what am I doing out here, when home needs me? So I came back. Within months, there was a train derailment on the Kanawha and a diesel spill in a tributary of the Greenbrier, which left Lewisburg without water. I knew I was exactly where I needed to be: working alongside people who cared deeply, who were ready to roll up their sleeves and protect what we love most.
That’s when I found WV Rivers — and really, when WV Rivers found me.
From my first water quality monitoring training with WV Rivers, to joining staff as our third employee, to now serving as Deputy Director of a team of twelve, I’ve been blessed to grow with this organization and with all of you. I’ve seen what’s possible when West Virginians come together for clean water. We’ve doubled, then quadrupled in size, built a statewide network of advocates, and taken on challenges that once felt impossible.
But more than budgets and numbers, what matters most is the heart behind this work. It’s you — our communities, our volunteers, our partners — showing up again and again because we all know that water is life, and these rivers are worth everything.
As I look back on the past ten years, I feel nothing but gratitude. And as I look ahead, I feel hope. Together, we’ll keep standing up for West Virginia’s rivers, because if not us, who?
With deep appreciation and gratitude,
Autumn
Autumn Crowe
Deputy Director
WV Rivers Coalition
P.S. I hope you will join us in Hico on September 12 as WV Rivers celebrates its 35th anniversary. More on that below!
Clean Water Act Reporting in WV: What You Need to Know About DEP’s Draft Integrated Report for 2024
On the left is a photo of a creek in Fayette County, WV overburdened with Acid Mine Drainage and on the right is a photo of a clean, cool stream in the Mon National Forest.
The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has just released its draft Integrated Report, which lists streams that are impaired and require cleanup plans. While the new draft identifies more impaired streams than before, it still underestimates the true scope of the problem. Unfortunately, WVDEP is attempting to redefine what counts as a “healthy” stream by allowing more polluted conditions in this category. That’s like painting over rust and calling it fixed.
Please join WV Rivers online on Wednesday, September 3, from 12:00 to 1:00 p.m. to learn more about this important issue. We’ll have a series of presenters provide an overview of what’s in the Integrated Report, why it matters, and how it can be strengthened with your involvement. Our goal is to provide citizens and watershed organizations with information they can use to develop comments for DEP by September 8.
Please register for the online meeting here, and contact Senior Scientist Than Hitt at nhitt@wvrivers.org for more information. Thanks!
Working Together on Local Solutions to PFAS Contamination
Aerial photograph of Harpers Ferry, one of the communities where WV Rivers and partners will be hosting community meetings this fall. The overlayed map depicts community water systems where PFAS were detected in raw water supplies exceeding current health advisories.
We’re excited to share an update on WV Rivers’ work as a partner in the WVDEP’s Government-to-Government grant. This fall, we’ll be hosting community meetings in the Eastern Panhandle and Northern WV to talk with residents about PFAS contamination, where it’s coming from, and what solutions communities want to see to protect their drinking water. These conversations are an important step in shaping localized PFAS Action Plans that reflect the needs and voices of the people most impacted.
We’re especially thrilled to welcome back two of our Community Ambassadors, Klio Stroubakis and Rebecca Kamp, who are rejoining our team (after the funding freeze brought these efforts to a halt) to make this work possible. Klio and Rebecca will help connect local perspectives with state-level planning, ensuring that solutions are rooted in the lived experiences of residents.
Join us at a community meeting from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. near you:
- Monday, Sept. 29 – Clarion Inn, Harpers Ferry
- Tuesday, Sept. 30 – Cool Spring Preserve, Charles Town
- Wednesday, Oct. 1 – TBD, Martinsburg
- Thursday, Oct. 2 – The Country Inn, Berkeley Springs
- Northern Pandhandle – November Meeting Dates & Time TBD
Together, we can shape a healthier, safer future for our water and our communities. If you have any questions, reach out to Carrie Decker at cdecker@wvrivers.org.
From Painted Rain Barrels to Youth-Led Films: Mini-Grants Fuel Local Action
Rain barrels painted by students with support of the Greenbrier River Watershed Association,. Photo: Mountain Messenger Newspaper.
What do a painted rain barrel, a student bus trip, and a youth-led web series all have in common? They’re all grassroots projects funded through WV Rivers’ Community Action Mini-Grant program — and they’re sparking change across West Virginia!
In Greenbrier County, students are turning rain barrels into works of art while learning about the water cycle, drought, and the importance of conserving water with the Greenbrier River Watershed Association. Some barrels end up at schools for everyday use, and others are raffled off at community celebrations. Each barrel reminds us that protecting water can start at home.
In Charleston, youth are stepping up as storytellers through “Ground Truth: Young Voices on Chemical Safety,” a new web series led by People Concerned for Chemical Safety. With cameras in hand, young investigators will visit impacted communities, interview residents and experts, and shed light on environmental justice issues that shape their future.
And in Morgantown, West Virginia University students are organizing to make their voices heard. Thanks to mini-grant support, they’ll be chartering a bus to Charleston for Environmental Lobby Day in 2026, connecting young advocates with statewide organizations, hands-on advocacy, and career opportunities here in West Virginia.
These are just three examples of the creativity and commitment driving local action. Imagine what your idea could do! Applications for the next round of Community Action Mini-Grants are due October 31.
Do you have a project to inspire change in your community? Learn more and apply today!
What is the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement? A Q&A with Policy Specialist Maria Russo
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed spans the entirety of the blue selection of this map.
The Chesapeake Bay Agreement is a written document that serves as a voluntary agreement among the six watershed states, the District of Columbia, the Chesapeake Bay Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency on behalf of the federal government. The agreement outlines collaborative efforts across regions to protect, promote, and restore the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. This document serves as a guide to the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay watershed, setting goals, outcomes, and targets that can be achieved over time.
The Chesapeake Bay Watershed spans over 64,000 square miles, encompassing West Virginia, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New York, and Washington, D.C.
When did the Bay Agreement originate? The Bay Agreement originated in 1983, the same year the Chesapeake Bay Program was formed. What started as a one-page pledge with few signatories has undergone many changes and revisions to become the powerful tool that it is today. Today, the Agreement is signed by representatives from the entire watershed, working together to protect the Bay.
Why is West Virginia involved? Approximately 14% (3,750 square miles) of West Virginia’s land mass is in the Chesapeake Bay watershed and includes the counties of Berkeley, Grant, Hampshire, Hardy, Jefferson, Mineral, Morgan, Pendleton, and small portions of Preston, Tucker, and Monroe.
The streams born in our mountains flow into major river systems that provide drinking water for much of the Mid-Atlantic. In fact, the two main tributaries of the Bay begin in West Virginia: the headwaters of the Potomac River and the James River both begin in the Mountain State.
West Virginia signed onto the Chesapeake Bay Agreement in 2014, which has served as the current version we have been utilizing for over 10 years.
Why are we making changes now? Many of the goals and outcomes in the most recent Bay Agreement had a target deadline of December 2025. According to the Chesapeake Bay Program, “As this date draws near, the Chesapeake Bay Program is determining how best to meet these goals and outcomes while planning for the future of Bay restoration.”
Where can I find out about the changes being made? Check out the revised agreement and relevant background information on the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Planning for 2025 and Beyond website. The next version of the Bay Agreement will be presented to the Management Board in October 2025.
Want to submit comments? Public feedback will be accepted through 11:59 pm on Monday, September 1, 2025. To submit your comment, send an email to: comments@chesapeakebay.net.
Have more questions? Check out the FAQ on the public feedback process.
Permits & Public Input: What We’re Tracking
Photo taken by Rev. Caitlin Ware of the packed house for the public meeting in Tucker County.
Across West Virginia, major industrial proposals are moving forward. WV Rivers is working alongside communities and partners to ensure your voices are heard.
- Mingo County: Two off-grid power plants proposed to run data centers are under review. After residents pushed for transparency, the DEP agreed to extend the comment period and hold an in-person hearing, set for September 18, at the Harless Center in Gilbert, WV. Doors open at 4:00 p.m.
- Mason County: Fidelis New Energy has applied for an air permit to build one of the nation’s largest hydrogen facilities near Point Pleasant along the Ohio River. WV Rivers is preparing our comments and diving in to better understand the water impacts this project presents.
- Tucker County: The DEP approved a heavily redacted air permit for a natural gas plant, which raised alarms in Thomas and Davis. More than 300 people attended the public meeting, expressing concern that it would power one of the largest data centers in the world.
- Wyoming County: DEP approved a massive expansion of the Marianna Slope Mine, despite Indian Creek being impaired for 17 years. We strongly oppose this decision, which dismisses community concerns and adds more pollution to already stressed waters.
WV Rivers is reviewing permits, submitting technical comments, and standing with communities in their calls for safe water, transparency, and accountability. We’ll continue to share updates on opportunities to make your voice heard.
Remember, there are various stages of approval for these projects, and we’re watching the issues closely and encourage you to do the same. There will be more opportunities to comment on development and help protect our water resources — and we hope you will join us in raising your voice.
Calling All Members of WV Watershed Groups!
Join the West Virginia Watershed Network for the 2025 Watershed Symposium.
West Virginia’s local watershed groups do a lot with a little, and the WV Watershed Symposium is their chance to connect, learn, and celebrate. If you are part of your local watershed group, please join us October 17–18 at Battler’s Knob for field tours, breakout sessions, and peer-to-peer support.
We’ll also honor groups through the Watershed Awards, with five $500 prizes for restoration, education, advocacy, recreation, and emerging leaders. Nominations are due September 2 and open to anyone, even if you’re not attending.
If you’re part of a watershed group, register today. If you value clean water, submit a nomination!
Bequests & Estate Planning Webinar Recording
The recording from our recent webinar on planned giving is here!
It’s National Make-A-Will Month! Recently, WV Rivers’ Executive Director Jennie Smith and Estate Planning Attorney David Samuel Hughart, Esq. teamed up to share about how you can leave a legacy for clean water with WV Rivers Coalition.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore your options or you’re ready to take the next step, this on-demand webinar will guide you through simple, impactful ways to make a planned gift that supports the rivers, public lands, and communities you love.
In this recording, you’ll discover:
- How planned gifts support the long-term protection of West Virginia’s waters
- Common types of legacy gifts and their financial benefits
- How your values can live on through purposeful giving
Celebrate 35 Years with Us!
Poster art by Hannah Hedrick of Spore Print Press. Posters will be available for purchase!
We’re less than three weeks away from WV Rivers’ 35th Anniversary Celebration — and you’re invited! Join us Friday, September 12, from 4–9 PM at the beautiful Confluence Resort, where the Gauley and Meadow Rivers meet.
Enjoy live music, storytelling, a video premiere, square dancing, good food, and the best company all while celebrating three and a half decades of protecting West Virginia’s rivers and streams.
Don’t miss this milestone moment.
More Upcoming Events with WV Rivers and Partners
Opening Night of Create The Mon in Marlinton
September 5 | 5-8 p.m.
Celebrate forest-inspired creativity at Create the Mon Opening Night in Marlinton! Presentations begin at 6:15 PM — join us for art, community, and inspiration.
Conservation Day w/ New River Conservancy
September 20 | 4-9 p.m.
Bring the family to Conservation Day at the Grandview Amphitheater! Enjoy local partners, fun activities, and a free screening of The Lorax in the New River Gorge.
Wild & Well on National Public Lands Day
September 27 | Varied
Get outside and give back on National Public Lands Day! Join hikes and clean-ups across West Virginia’s public lands—connect with nature and make a difference.
