WV Dept. of Environmental Protection

WVDEP has extended the comment period for Ion TMDLs for select streams of the Lower Guyandotte River Watershed. dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/WVD…

Greenbrier River Watershed Association hosting Make It Shine Cleanup on May 17. wvdn.com/195594/?fbclid…

Pitch in this weekend to help make Beech Fork Lake shine! Clean-up event set for May 9 at 9AM. Meet at the Visitor Center.

WVDEP's Division of Water and Waste Management, Water Quality Standards & Assessment Section accepting public comments for draft Ion Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs) for select streams in the Lower Guyandotte River watershed. dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/WVD…

This week on Environment Matters, we catch up with a group that's installing a device to capture floating litter in a stream in Mingo County. youtu.be/Le4yQs0EL54?si…

Here is the latest update on the train derailment near the West Virginia–Virginia border in the East River. dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/WVD…

The WVDEP continues responding to reports of stream discoloration in Mingo County. Initial findings indicate the discoloration stems from material from an abandoned mine lands area that had accumulated on property owned by Norfolk Southern. dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/WVD…

PRESS RELEASE: State, local, and federal agencies are coordinating on a sampling and removal plan to ensure that remaining materials inside the Catalyst Refiners facility are properly characterized and safely removed off site. dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/Sta…

Statement from WVDEP on Train Derailment in Bluestone River Watershed dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/Sta…

Kanawha County Provides Update on Chemical Release in Institute April 22, 2026 Press release attached.

In an effort to educate students on the importance of water resources, the White Sulphur Springs National Fish Hatchery has launched its inaugural Water Festival. wvnstv.com/news/white-sul…

Governor Morrisey Issues Statement on Chemical Incident in Kanawha County The West Virginia Department of Homeland Security’s Emergency Management Division (EMD), the Department of Health, and the Department of Environmental Protection are coordinating closely with Kanawha County Emergency Management to address a chemical incident at the Ames Goldsmith Catalyst Refiners along the border of Nitro and Institute. EMD personnel are currently stationed at the county’s Command Center to provide direct operational support and DEP is providing decontamination and disposal assistance. State emergency leaders continue to monitor the situation and remain ready to deploy additional resources. A number of individuals are currently receiving treatment at local hospitals, and state agencies stand ready to assist those affected as well. Residents in the surrounding area should continue to follow the Personal Protective Measures issued by Kanawha County for further safety guidance and updates. "Our top priority is the safety and well-being of our citizens,” said Governor Morrisey. “We are working around the clock with local officials to ensure this incident is contained and that all necessary state resources are on the ground to protect the community."

Do you know OSMRE has a program dedicated to generating economic development on abandoned mine lands? Coal shaped these communities, but that's not where the story ends. From its legacy, something new is taking shape, and your community might be part of it. Read the full story: osmre.gov/news/stories/c…

April is Low-Head Dam Awareness Month. Each year, dozens of lives are lost at dams on America's waterways. Learn more about the simple steps you can take to keep yourself safe near dams: damsafety.org/public-safety

Today, we announced $134 million in funding through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program, continuing a decade of investment in jobs, infrastructure, and economic growth. osmre.gov/news/2026/10-y…

✅ THIS WEEKEND: Kanawha County Spring Cleanup on April 11th in Sissonville. Read the flyer to identify what you CAN and CAN'T bring. Please call Planning at 304-357-0570 with questions.

Education: Teachers, celebrate Earth Month with Project Learning Tree! We have free lesson plans to help students understand the forest ecosystem. Read More: bit.ly/3yVZn5d

Crews are working to reach a fire burning in a Kanawha County coal seam before it spreads deep into an abandoned mine. Check out this weeks Environment Matters 🎥 youtu.be/gYu8y_0py1E?si…

We're now accepting registrations for the Adopt-A-Highway Spring Statewide Cleanup set for Saturday, April 25! dep.wv.gov/news/Pages/Ann…