Updates from WV Rivers Coalition
January 2026
We’re Showing Up for Clean Water & Public Lands This Legislative Session
The WV Rivers team gathered for a photo (taken by WV Legislative Photographer Perry Bennett) at Environmental Day at the Capitol during the 2025 session.
The 2026 West Virginia Legislative Session begins today Wednesday, January 14, and members of our team are now in Charleston at the Capitol to make sure lawmakers hear directly from West Virginians who care about clean water, healthy communities, and protected public lands.
We’ll be tracking bills, meeting with legislators and partners, and sharing clear, science‑based information throughout the session. You can help set the tone early by sending a short “welcome back” message to your Delegate and Senator letting them know clean water and public lands matter to you.
Advocating in Charleston and Washington, D.C.
Senior Scientist addressing members during a 2025 committee hearing about the “not so” Sound Science Bill we helped stop in its tracks.
From the WV State Capitol to U.S. Congress, our priorities focus on practical, commonsense policies that protect public health, strengthen water quality and infrastructure, and safeguard the rivers, streams, and public lands that define West Virginia.
We do that by bringing science‑based analysis to lawmakers, collaborating with advocacy partners to build awareness and increase engagement, and uplifting the voices of West Virginians whose health and livelihoods depend on safe water.
Our 2026 policy priorities include:
- Clean Water. Protecting drinking water through strong water quality standards, safeguards for industrial activities, and action on toxic contaminants like PFAS.
- Public Lands. Conserving public lands and protecting access to nature‑based, non‑motorized recreation.
- Flood Resiliency. Securing permanent funding to help communities prepare for and recover from flooding.
- Responsible Water Usage. Preventing overuse and contamination of shared drinking water sources as industrial development expands.
- Improved Water Infrastructure. Investing in aging and under‑resourced water systems so every community has safe, reliable drinking water.
- Community Science & Transparent Data. Ensuring communities can monitor water and air quality and access clear, trustworthy data.
Want to learn more about where we stand this session? Explore our full 2026 policy priorities on our Policy Page.
Advocacy 101: How to Speak Up for Your Land, Water, and Community
Let’s talk about our priorities, tips for talking to representatives and their staff, and how your personal story can make a difference!
January 29 | 7:00 PM | Zoom
Want to be more confident contacting lawmakers or showing up for your community? Join WV Rivers’ Policy Specialist Maria Russo and Community Engagement Manager Carrie Decker to get grounded in the basics of the WV Legislature and then, we’ll walk through how to meet with your legislators, share your story in a way that resonates, and leave a strong, lasting impression that helps move policy forward.
We’ll cover:
- How the legislative process works
- When and how to contact decision‑makers
- Simple ways to make your voice heard
Apply for our Community Action Mini‑Grant by January 15
One community action mini-grant helped students in Mingo County learn about and design their own deciduous forests while flexing their advocacy muscles sending postcards to local lawmakers.
Don’t miss out on the first round of giving for 2026! Applications for WV Rivers Community Action Mini‑Grants are due this Thursday, January 15.
These grants support local advocacy efforts to protect water, build community power, and address environmental challenges.
Take Action: Call for the Ohio River
Photo of a barge on the Ohio River courtesy of Kent Mason.
The Ohio River provides drinking water, recreation, and livelihoods for communities across West Virginia, but decades of pollution have left it in need of restoration.
Right now, leaders in Congress are considering the Ohio River Restoration and Protection Act (H.R. 5966), which would create a dedicated federal program to clean up pollution, restore habitat, and protect public health. The bill is modeled after successful efforts like the Chesapeake Bay Agreement and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
We have good news to share: Congresswoman Carol Miller has signed on as a co-sponsor of H.R. 5966, showing leadership for clean water and healthy communities.
Now, we need to keep the momentum going. Congressman Riley Moore has not yet co-sponsored the bill, and we’re urging him to step up for the Ohio River.
Our action makes it easy to take the right next step:
- If you’re represented by Congresswoman Miller, you’ll be asked to call with a quick message of thanks.
- If you’re represented by Congressman Moore, you’ll be asked to urge him to become a co-sponsor.
Making a phone call to your representative takes just a few minutes, and it makes a real difference! Add your voice and help protect the Ohio River for current and future generations.
Thank You, Mariah. We’re Hiring a Southern WV Coordinator.
Mariah Clay overlaying an image of the mighty Tug Fork River.
Last week marked Mariah Clay’s final week as a full-time member of the WV Rivers Coalition team. Please join us in reflecting on and celebrating the leadership and impact Mariah has brought to our organization.
Before Mariah stepped into this work, WV Rivers did not have a dedicated Southern West Virginia program. That program exists today because of Mariah’s leadership, vision, and commitment to people and place. Beginning as our Mountain Valley Pipeline Organizer, Mariah brought deep regional commitment and credibility to complex and often high-stakes advocacy efforts. Over time, that work expanded into a comprehensive Southern WV program centered on drinking water protection, river and stream advocacy, and community capacity building across Mingo, Wyoming, Logan, McDowell, Boone, Summers, Monroe, and surrounding counties.
Mariah’s work has been defined by consistency, trust, and respect for community knowledge. By showing up, listening carefully, and following through, Mariah built strong relationships with residents, local partners, and grassroots leaders, particularly in communities that have historically been excluded from decision-making. The strength and reach of this program reflect Mariah’s ability to meet people where they are while advancing meaningful, lasting change.
As Mariah transitions from a full-time role, this work will continue in the near term. Mariah will support two key initiatives through a temporary contract role: Southern West Virginia Water Policy and ongoing Mountain Valley Pipeline work. WV Rivers will also begin hiring a new full-time team member to build on the program and relationships Mariah established.
We are deeply grateful for Mariah’s leadership, dedication, and care for Southern West Virginia. The foundation built through this work will continue to shape and strengthen our efforts for years to come.
It’s Not Goodbye, It’s See You Soon!
Photo of Crys Bauer overlaying an image of the Shenandoah River.
At the end of December, we said goodbye to Crys Bauer as a member of the WV Rivers Coalition team, though thankfully, not goodbye for long! Crys has joined the West Virginia Land Trust, and we’re glad to see this next chapter keep her rooted in conservation work here in West Virginia.
During her time with WV Rivers, Crys was a valued colleague who brought dedication, care, and creative energy to every part of the organization. She played a central role in organizing our 35th Anniversary Celebration, collaborated with the New River Conservancy to host a New River Cleanup with Parks Project, and managed essential behind-the-scenes projects, including a major data migration and ongoing data management. She also oversaw our webstore, which is temporarily on hold, and so much more!
Crys served as a key point of contact for donors, and many supporters will recognize her as the person behind thoughtful and timely thank-you messages. That attention to detail and relationship-building strengthened our fundraising efforts and donor community.
Please join us in wishing Crys every success in her new role at the West Virginia Land Trust and looking forward to the opportunities for cross-organizational collaboration that will arise with this shift.
As we look ahead, supporters can expect to see a job posting for a fundraising and development role with WV Rivers in the coming months.
We appreciate your patience and continued support during this transition.
