Late last month, Wendy Radcliff announced her resignation from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Wendy was the Environmental Advocate at the DEP. It may seem strange to many of you that such an organization - The Division of Environmental PROTECTION should need such a position, after all isn’t that what the agency is supposed to be all about? To those of us who watch and deal with DEP, the answer is a simple and emphatic NO! Prior to Wendy, there was no single person, let alone office, from which a citizen could seek guidance or assistance. There was no one who was advocating or articulating the green perspective internally to DEP decision makers.

The concept of an "environmental advocate" was advanced in 1992 by a joint creation of the West Virginia Environmental Coalition’s (WVEC) lobby team and former Senator David Grubb. Two years later it became a legislative reality in the form of an amendment to the bitterly fought DEP Reorganization bill. Governor Caperton and then DEP Director David Callaghan surprised us all by naming Wendy to the position.

Since that time Wendy has been a consistent voice of sanity in an organization that has often misplaced its soul. She had a tough and under-appreciated row to hoe in building relationships with DEP staff members, walking on a highway of political egg shells, advocating green thinking and garnering the trust of citizens. With the possible exception of some members of the polluter community, everyone thought she performed magnificently.

Wendy will be a tough act to follow if there is an act to follow. Many legislators and most of industry would like to see the Office of Environmental Advocate abolished or at least fade away into insignificance. To those of us who work closely with DEP there is a deep passionate belief that this position must continue, and that it is filled with a true advocate of environmentalism - another Wendy Radcliff if you will.

WVEC President Jim Kotcon recently sent a letter to DEP Director Miano, underscoring our commitment to the office. Jim recommended five environmental activists that the Council felt should be considered for the job. The selection of any of those five would continue the legacy that Wendy Radcliff left us. It will be interesting to see how the Underwood Administration and Director Miano respond.