Greetings!
I hope you are all having an enjoyable summer. Here in Canaan, the weather has been cool most days, and as I write this, a big thunderstorm is moving in.
This month, my letter is a plea for support.
Every day brings another challenge for the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy. Environmental laws and policies are changing quickly, and our Board, staff and volunteers are working hard to keep up and respond. We are fortunate to have many allies and partners, but this work also depends on the support of our members. Here are just a few examples of what we are working on:
WVHC is involved in two appeals before the West Virginia Intermediate Court of Appeals concerning Fundamental Data’s proposed Ridgeline project. In one case, WVHC, Tucker United and the Sierra Club challenged the air permit issued by the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. The Air Quality Board rejected most of our challenge, and we have appealed that decision. In a separate case, WVHC, Tucker United and Friends of Blackwater are challenging WVDEP’s decision to allow large portions of Fundamental Data’s permit application to be withheld from the public as confidential business information.
Our work to protect the South Fork of the Cherry River has also entered a new phase. South Fork Coal’s bankruptcy left serious pollution and reclamation problems unresolved. Our case challenging the company’s use of a haul road through the Monongahela National Forest ended after the Forest Service terminated its road-use permit—an important result. A separate water-pollution case against South Fork was placed on hold because of the bankruptcy.
Now, Clearco and Aurevo have begun taking over South Fork’s former operations. WVHC and our partners have issued new notices of intent to sue over the unauthorized use of the coal haul road through the national forest, alleged unpermitted pollution from seven surface mines and numerous reclamation violations.
WVHC and the West Virginia Rivers Coalition are also suing Amsted Graphite Materials in federal court over repeated alleged violations of its water-pollution permit at the company’s manufacturing plant in Anmoore. The pollutants enter Anmoore Run and eventually flow into Elk Creek, the West Fork River and the Monongahela River. Our lawsuit seeks to require the company to comply with its permit, stop further violations and complete the necessary pollution-control upgrades. Amsted has responded by asking the court to dismiss the case.
On the national level, WVHC is one of several organizations represented by Earthjustice in a challenge to EPA’s repeal of the 2009 Endangerment Finding and federal greenhouse-gas standards for motor vehicles. The Endangerment Finding is EPA’s scientific determination that greenhouse-gas pollution threatens public health and welfare. Its repeal would undermine the federal government’s ability to address climate pollution.
Legal advocacy is only part of our work. Through the Dolly Sods Wilderness Stewards program, in partnership with the Monongahela National Forest, volunteers greet visitors at trailheads, share Leave No Trace guidance, monitor backcountry conditions, maintain trails and registration stations, protect impacted campsites and even extinguish unattended campfires when they encounter them.
These are only a few examples of what the Highlands Conservancy takes on every day. We urgently need your help. Renewing your membership, making an additional donation, purchasing something from our store or volunteering your time all help keep this work moving.
I also hope you will join us for our annual Fall Review, October 23–25 at Canaan Valley Resort. It will be a chance to learn more about the issues facing West Virginia, reconnect with fellow members and supporters, and strengthen our work for the year ahead.
For decades, our members and supporters have kept the Highlands Conservancy strong. With your help, we will continue protecting West Virginia’s mountains, forests and streams for as long as we are needed.
Thank you for standing with us. I hope to see you at Fall Review!
Marilyn Shoenfeld
President
West Virginia Highlands Conservancy