Want to Be a Stream Monitor?

Trout Unlimited is working with the West Virginia Rivers Coalition to train volunteers to monitor streams that have the potential to be impacted by shale gas-related development and other…

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Stream “Protection” Rule Imperiled

By John McFerrin The January, 2017, issue of The Highlands Voice reported that the Stream Protection Rule would become final in January, bringing to an end over fifteen years of…

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New secretary fires WVDEP environmental advocate

By Ken Ward Jr. West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection Secretary Austin Caperton on Friday fired Wendy Radcliff, the leader of the DEP’s Office of Environmental Advocate. The move immediately…

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Bombus affinis – Rusty patched bumble bee

On 22 September 2016, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service proposed a rule to list the Rusty Patched Bumble Bee as federally endangered. There have been no observations in…

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Places in Our Hearts

Most times we do not save mountains all on our own.  We have help.  But in many past instances, we did take the lead and offered a major portion…

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Getting Ready for the Legislature

The West Virginia Legislature begins in earnest on February 8.  Last month and this month The Highlands Voice has had stories on issues that may arise.  Last month we…

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Battling for Public Lands

By Matt Kearns and David Lillard People who care about public lands know the last few years have been challenging. Advocates have fought off several Congressional attempts to change or…

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Trail Truthing for the Hiking Guide

By Hugh Rogers Beginning in 1988, Allen de Hart co-authored four editions of the Monongahela National Forest Hiking Guide for the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy.  His death last fall, at…

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Court of Appeals Enforces Conductivity Rules

By John McFerrin The United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit decided that a West Virginia coal mine violated the state and federal Clean Water Acts by discharging…

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Places in Our Hearts

Most times we do not save mountains all on our own.  We have help.  But in many past instances, we did take the lead and offered a major portion…

Continue reading