Updates from WV Rivers Coalition
March 2026
It’s Groundwater Awareness Week!
Groundwater, as illustrated above from The Nature Conservancy, is water held underground in the soil or in pores and crevices in rock. An aquifer is a body of porous rock or sediment saturated with groundwater.
March brings the first signs of spring across West Virginia. Streams are rising, forests are waking up, and beneath it all, groundwater continues its quiet work.
This week is Groundwater Awareness Week, a reminder that much of our drinking water flows from underground aquifers that sustain communities, farms, and ecosystems across the Mountain State.
Groundwater doesn’t always get the attention our rivers do, but it’s deeply connected to them. When we protect headwaters, wetlands, and forests, we’re also protecting the groundwater systems that keep our wells flowing and our streams healthy.
As we head into spring, we’re grateful for the growing community of people working to protect West Virginia’s water, both above and below ground.
Policy Update from the State Capitol
The WV State Capitol in bloom. Photo by WV Legislative Photography.
The 2026 legislative session is moving quickly, and several key water issues are still in play, while others “died” on Crossover Day. Here are the latest updates from Charleston.
Major Update:
Aboveground Storage Tank Protections
We have an important update on SB 641, legislation that proposed rolling back protections in the Aboveground Storage Tank Act created after the 2014 Elk River Chemical Spill.
Thanks to strong advocacy from community members, scientists, and public health leaders, the bill was significantly amended.
The bill now applies only to tanks 10,000 gallons or smaller that contain ONLY brine. Originally, the language applied to tanks containing “brine and other fluids,” which could have included substances like crude oil. That language was removed, a major improvement that protects far more tanks from weakened regulations.
The amended bill passed the House without further changes. The Senate must now agree to or reject the amended bill before it can move forward.
This is a big win, but it’s not over until it’s over! The final day of the legislative session is tomorrow, March 14, 2026 and adjourns at 11:59PM.
Other Key Legislative Updates
Data Center Rules – An amended version of HB 4983, which now includes how developers will address if their proposed project places an inordinate burden on water access, passed out of the Senate on Wednesday and is making its way over to the House, where they will agree with or reject the amended version.
Ohio River Restoration – The legislature passed HR 13 and SR 7 expressing support for the Ohio River Restoration Program Act currently under consideration in Congress. This program would help restore water quality and habitat throughout the Ohio River Basin.
Water Infrastructure Investments – Two companion bills (HB 5210 and SB 762) were priorities for the Governor aimed at restructuring oversight of water and wastewater systems. Both bills passed out of one committee, but died in their respective Finance committees.
Southern West Virginia Clean Water Fund – HB 5525 also died on the House floor. While investment in southern West Virginia water infrastructure is critically needed, the proposal is expected to be revisited to ensure it better reflects community needs. HB 5585 was introduced, but never moved out of committee. SCR 7 but neither resolution passed out of committee.
SCR 7 calls for a study of the ongoing water crisis affecting southern counties, particularly McDowell County and Wyoming County.
Flood Resiliency Funding – There was some movement around long-term flood resilience planning in the form of Senate Concurrent Resolutions (SCR), but the resolution did not pass out of committee. SCR 3 directs lawmakers to study funding for the Flood Resiliency Fund during interim meetings.
Meanwhile, lawmakers amended the state budget bill SB 250 to include funding for the Flood Resiliency Trust Fund. The House proposed $25 million, but the Senate reduced that to $5 million. The Governor included the $5 million to the flood resiliency trust fund and an additional 1.49 M for an early warning flood system.
Public Lands – SB 708, which aimed to improve river access and safety during bridge construction projects, died in the Senate.
Lobby Days Recap
The WV Rivers team (plus volunteer Maury Johnson!) gathered for a quick photo after Environmental Day at the Capitol hosted by the West Virginia Environmental Council.
Throughout the session, our team has been present for several key advocacy days at the Capitol, working alongside partners and community leaders to ensure clean water and healthy communities remain a priority.
We joined advocates and partners during:
- Flood Resiliency Day
- Outdoor Economy Summit / Outdoor Recreation Industry Day
- Rural Health Day
- Environmental Day
- Black Policy Day
Each event brought together residents, community leaders, and advocates who care deeply about West Virginia’s future. We’re grateful to stand alongside so many voices working toward stronger protections for our water, public lands, and communities.
Advocating for Clean Water in DC
WV Rivers’ Policy Specialist, Maria Russo, joined members of the Choose Clean Water Coalition in DC to advocate for our Chesapeake Bay Watershed.
This month, our team is spending some time in Washington, DC advocating for clean water protections that impact West Virginia.
Chesapeake Bay Advocacy
During Chesapeake Bay Day, our team joined regional partners with the Choose Clean Water Coalition to meet with members of Congress and advocate for continued support for the Chesapeake Bay Program.
The Chesapeake Bay watershed provides drinking water for 18 million people and supports farms, businesses, and communities throughout the region.
We urged Congress to:
- Maintain strong federal leadership in restoration
- Increase funding for local restoration grants
- Support the states, farmers, and communities doing on-the-ground work to improve water quality
Wild & Scenic Advocacy
Later this month, Conservation Manager Mike Jones will be in Washington, DC advocating for federal protections for headwater streams in the Monongahela National Forest.
More than 1,000 people have already signed our petition supporting Wild & Scenic protections. (Thank you!) Now, we’re aiming for 2,000 signatures before Mike arrives in DC on March 23. Can you spread the word and help us get there?
Add your name today and help protect West Virginia’s headwaters and your outdoor legacy.
Welcome, Katherine!
Join us in giving Katherine McGraw a warm welcome to our coalition!
We’re excited to welcome Katherine McGraw to the WV Rivers Coalition community as our new Southern West Virginia Coordinator.
Katherine also serves as the Executive Director of Smithers & Friends Community Group, where she leads a “Neighbors Teaching Neighbors” approach to community engagement and collaboration throughout the Upper Kanawha Valley.
A Beckley native who grew up in Raleigh County and now lives in Fayette County, Katherine is deeply committed to the people and places of southern West Virginia.
She believes every person is engaged in their own labor of love, and that those efforts deserve respect, support, and celebration.
We’re thrilled to work together to strengthen communities across the region. Feel free to send Katherine a welcome message at kmcgraw@wvrivers.org.
We’re Hiring a Development Director
We’re looking for a Development Director to help us bring in more financial resources to the WV Rivers Coalition. Are you up to the challenge or know someone who would be a great fit? Apply yourself or share this opportunity with a friend!
WV Rivers is growing, and we’re looking for a Development Director to help lead our fundraising efforts.
This strategic, hands-on role will design and execute fundraising strategies that support our $2 million annual operating budget.
As a department of one, the Development Director will manage individual giving programs, cultivate mid-level donors, and work closely with the Executive Director and Board of Directors to grow our fundraising pipeline.
Salary: $70,000-$85,000
Benefits include:
- Generous PTO
- Fully employer-paid health, dental, and life insurance
- 6% employer retirement contribution
- Hybrid work model
- Monthly internet/phone reimbursement
- Laptop and home office support
Applications are due April 3, 2026. Learn more and apply at the link below.
We’re Hiring a Development Director
From Below: Rising Together for Coalfield Justice used mini-grant funds to organize a Rural Rally for Safe Water at Rural Health Day at the WV State Capitol this session.
Have an idea to improve water quality or strengthen your community? Our WV Rivers Mini-Grant Program provides $2,500 grants to support local projects and grassroots organizing across West Virginia.
The next application deadline is this Sunday, March 15.
If you’ve been considering applying, now is the time. We want to help fund your work!
