ACTION ALERT: Comments Needed on Stormwater Runoff Permits

Make Your Voice Heard Now on West Virginia Stormwater Permits by October 23rd

From the West Virginia Rivers Coalition, October 20, 2020

Through Friday, October 23, you can make your voice heard on an important permit related to water quality. WVDEP is accepting public comments on modifications to the general permit that regulates stormwater runoff associated with industrial activity.

Why is the general stormwater permit so important? General permits are blanket permits that cover different types of industrial facilities throughout the state. Because the permit is related to stormwater runoff, multiple types of pollutants can be found in the discharge water.

This isn’t the first time we’ve asked you to comment on this permit. In May of 2019, WVDEP reissued the permit, but industry attempted to weaken it though the appeal process. Then, the US EPA stepped in to prevent “backsliding”, a term used when a permit becomes weaker than previously issued.

So, here we are again, asking for your comments on the general stormwater permit.

Although, US EPA has addressed some of our previous concerns, we still found problems in the modified permit. Learn more and submit comments on the permit today or ASAP, by the 23rd.

Action Alert: Comment on Important Stormwater Permit by 10/23