Safe Water and a Strong DEP

Are you affected by, or concerned about black, orange, or smelly water in streams and in the well water you drink and run your household with?  Are you concerned about high cancer rates in your community, or know people suffering from stomach, gallbladder, or liver problems?

West Virginians are concerned for the quality of our waters and our state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).  When the DEP doesn't operate well, we lose our health, and our state misses out on millions of dollars.

See the related articles on the left hand side that tell how the Federal EPA settled with just one company for more than $20 million. That money could have gone to our state instead of a federal agency.  We need a strong DEP if we are going to provide clean water, good jobs, a healthy environment, and protection for the state's most important asset: Our children's future. 

We need your help

Help us meet our goal of 1000 people on the petition before the hearing this February. We are urging the WV Legislature to make the DEP a stronger agency for the people.

Take Action Now

• Click here to sign the petition online
• Click here to download the petition to take around to your friends, family, and neighbors click here.
• Click here to print out a letter explaining this petition drive.

In February a State Senate committee hearing will be held to address these issues with the DEP.  We want to make sure citizen voices are heard and that real improvements are made.

• We are petitioning the state legislature to make the following mandates to strengthen our DEP:
• Fill the 100 job vacancies in the DEP (According to DEP Office of Administration);
• Investigate why DEP missed so many citations for violations of water pollution permits;
• Postpone all permits that allow waste or pollution to be dumped into our streams until the DEP can adequately monitor the impact and enforce the law.
  
  

Last March 50 OVEC members joined together to pass legislation that forced the DEP to study coal sludge.  We know we can make a difference and help the DEP carry out their mission, because we have done it before.