West Virginia Rivers Coalition’s Permit Analysis Program (PAP) is well under way. Since the program started in May, Evan Hansen, PAP director, has begun to monitor the state Division of Environmental Protection’s (DEP) permits for discharges of water pollutants into rivers and lakes. He is also building links with grassroots groups in preparation for detailed permit reviews and workshops to be held next year across the state.

"I’m pleased with the progress so far. We’ve opened up clear lines of communication with the Office of Water Resources (OWR), the office that issues the municipal and industrial NPDES permits that we’re focusing on. They’ve been helpful in providing information on permitting policies and procedures, as well as offering access to the permit files," said Hansen.

Hansen sparked discussion at an invited presentation on the PAP at OWR’s retreat at Canaan Valley State Park in September. While participants expressed some uncertainty as to where the program is headed, many had constructive questions and comments.

The response from watershed groups and environmental organizations has also been positive. Groups from different corners of the state have called with permit-related questions and concerns, and with requests for workshops to be held in their areas. "There seems to be a clear need for the resources we’re providing," said Hansen.

The program's first goal is to evaluate the DEP’s record in issuing and enforcing sound permits, resulting in a report that will show any patterns that are found. One-fifth of the state’s 92 major industrial and municipal permits were randomly selected for this review. By October, all selected permits will have been copied and analyzed; the report should be finalized by early 2001. Industrial permits selected for review include Appalachian Power’s Mountaineer Plant, Bayer, Century Aluminum, Clearon, DuPont’s Belle Plant and Washington Works, Morgantown Energy Associates, Tow Maintenance & Cleaning, UCAR Carbon, VEPCO’s Mount Storm Power Station, and Wheeling Pittsburgh Steel’s coke plant.

Municipal permits being reviewed include Crab Orchard/Macarthur Public Service District (PSD), Grafton, Greenbrier County PSD No. 2, Malden PSD, Moundsville, Summersville, Weirton, and Welch.

The second goal of the Permit Analysis Program is to conduct detailed reviews of several major permits, in collaboration with local organizations. Facilities are now being selected for these reviews, which should be completed by early 2001.

Based on the results of the report and the detailed reviews, the final goal of the program is to train members of grassroots groups across the state to monitor NPDES permits in their areas. A pilot workshop is scheduled for this fall as part of a Clean Water Act Workshop sponsored by the Friends of Deckers Creek. Full training workshops will be held at locations across the state in 2001 and 2002.

If you or your organization have any permit-related questions, are interested in a detailed permit review, or would like a workshop to be scheduled in your area, please contact Evan Hansen at (304) 291-8205, or send an e-mail to ehansen@downstreamstrategies.com. The Permit Analysis Program is funded through a grant by the Switzer Environmental Leadership Program Fund of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.

Nathan Fetty is a Program Associate with the West Virginia Rivers Coaltion