Criticism of WV DEP over Water Quality

From the Register-Herald

Citizens, advocates criticize DEP for failing to defend water quality standards

By Erin Beck Register-Herald Reporter
Jan 17, 2019

CHARLESTON — About 30 people turned out for a public listening session Thursday at the Department of Environmental Protection, with most criticizing the DEP for recently opting not to defend its own proposal to update water quality standards.

After the federal Environmental Protection Agency recommended West Virginia update standards for amounts of pollutants allowed in West Virginia rivers and streams in 2015, the DEP released last year its proposal to update about 60 of those standards.

For about two-thirds of the standards, less pollution would have been permitted in West Virginia waterways. For about one-third, more pollution would have been allowed.

But in late November, at the request of the West Virginia Manufacturers Association, the state lawmakers who were members of a joint rule-making committee decided to leave the standards the way they are instead, at levels enacted in the 1980s.

Thursday, the DEP held a public meeting at its Kanawha City office on those standards. The rule-making committee's decision, as well as the DEP's decision not to defend its own proposal before the

Potomac Conservancy protects 270-acre upstream forest near Bloomery

December 10, 2018
Complete article at

https://potomac.org/blog/2018/12/10/300-acre-land-deal


Discover why their newest land deal is good news for clean water.


For Carl Hovermale and his siblings, Bear Garden is more than a piece of land. It’s what the family calls, “the home place.”

Nestled on the outskirts of Cross Junction, Virginia, Bear Garden’s 270-acres of streams, fields, and sprawling forests have been home to Carl’s family for over one hundred years.


Bear Garden Run, a native brook trout stream, meanders through this land on its way to Sleepy Creek, a tributary to the Potomac River. As an accredited land trust, Potomac Conservancy has worked closely with the Hovermales to protect this waterway and the family’s land through a conservation easement.

This fall, that dream became a reality. Bear Garden and its namesake stream are now protected forever.

“[Bear Garden] is an integral part of our being,” Carl explains, “and we want it preserved hopefully for our descendants and future generations. We believe that this area with its pristine trout stream, picturesque rock cliffs, and wildlife habitat is worthy of preservation from any kind of development.” 

At a time when rural areas are faced with encroaching development pressure, land conservation is one of the best tools we have to protect the health of the Potomac River. In our 25-year history, Potomac Conservancy has worked with families like the Hovermales to permanently protect over 15,000 acres of streamside lands and forests. We thank the generous support of the Virginia Environmental Endowment, private foundations, and members who empower us to protect healthy lands and clean streams.

Treating fish better - prevent jaw damage

from Wired2Fish.com

What Happens When You Hold a Bass?

By Walker Smith & Steven Bardin

Nov 7, 2017


As avid bass anglers, we all strive to be good conservationists while minimizing our impact on fisheries. At the same time, however, we also want to show off our catches to our friends and family. This leads us to a prominent question that has been at the center of many spirited debates: What, if any, physical impact does holding a bass have on its jaw?

There isn't much scientific research on this topic, which currently leaves anglers and biologists very little basis for making recommendations. We want to begin to change that.

To gain a better understanding of this issue and learn exactly what's happening to the jaw when held at various angles, we teamed up with Steven Bardin, a leading fisheries biologist and owner of Texas Pro Lake Management. Bardin, along with two veterinarians, Dr. Casey Locklear and Dr. Steven Mapel, designed and conducted an experiment to help shed some light on things.

The results and correlating imagery were nothing short of fascinating.

Bardin and his team of veterinarians had very specific criteria for this experiment. In order to judge the effects on overweight, trophy-sized fish without actually harming true trophies, they paid

Buteos of North America

Big storms impact on the South Branch river levels

While flash flooding closed roads everywhere, the South Branch flooding is affected most by rainfall far upstream.

Looking for Job Opportunities in Conservation?

We maintain a listserv of about 200 or more former graduate students for sharing Mid-Atlantic job announcements (send an email to JimE@vt.edu to join), but here is an interesting resource to find jobs beyond our region:

www.facebook.com/conservationjobboard/

Another significant flood, but minimal damage

See the current gauge reading here:
https://water.weather.gov/ahps2/hydrograph.php?wfo=lwx&gage=sprw2

Potomac Flooding, May 16-18, 2018

Photos of flooding on May 16-18, 2018

Oldtown Bridge, May 18.

Most regional gauges climbed quickly overnight

See the live gauge HERE.

from 6:30pm Monday, April 16.

REMINDER - Saturday, April 7 Cleanup

All details are at the Alice Ferguson Foundation Page for our location.

April 07, 2018, 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Cleanup at the Fishermen's Access Points (Blue Ford, Indian Rock, and Mouth of the South Branch) do not require a boat.    GPS Coordinates: 39.50987, -78.60052

Directions: From Green Spring, take Arnold Stickley Road approximately 4 miles to the Indian Rock Fisherman's Access on the left. The Blue Ford Fisherman's Access is approximately one mile further on the right.

Clarence Taylor Road from Springfield is gated midway to Springfield. Set your GPS to Green Spring, WV (Norton St.) as a via point to avoid a problem.


Taking advantage of two large river meanders, this is a popular canoe cleanup. A one mile shuttle allows for several miles of canoeing. There are several geocaches along the way.

Indian Rock is the takeout for a very pleasant and convenient canoe trip from Blue Ford to Indian Rock. The site director can provide a shuttle to the put-in. The terrain near the take-out is not suitable for small children, as the terrain is rugged and poisonous snakes have been found near the boat launch. The Indian Rock boat launch is suitable for power boats, and very comfortable for muscle-powered boats. After wet weather, the Blue Ford put-in may require a short walk or alternatively, 4-wheel drive (trucks, not Subaru's or Geo's!).