Monitoring Newsletter: Spring 2024 Edition
Monitoring Newsletter: Spring 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: Casey and Molly
PHMSA inspector Joe Klesin observes Molly and Casey conducting water quality tests on the Greenbrier River. He engages with them, asks questions, and learns about their volunteer roles. This interaction took place immediately after a community meeting, where PHMSA community liaisons Nita and Joe addressed questions and listened to the community’s concerns regarding the Mountain Valley Pipeline.
Casey and Molly, two dedicated volunteers living near the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP), have taken on the crucial role of monitoring water quality in streams affected by the pipeline’s construction. Their commitment to protecting these waterways shines through in their thoughtful responses and deep connection to the land.
Molly explains, “We monitor several places above and below the MVP crossing of Hungard’s Creek, as well as the site of the Greenbrier River crossing.” For her, the motivation behind their monitoring efforts is clear: “Water is life! I love these streams, they have offered me so much… I feel responsible for protecting them, to have a reciprocal relationship where I am not only taking but also giving what I can in return.”
Attending training sessions provided by WV Rivers equipped them with the necessary tools and knowledge to conduct their monitoring effectively. Molly reflects on the changes they’ve observed: “One big shift we have seen throughout construction has been the turbidity… This speaks to the major disturbances occurring when the pipe was laid through the streambed as well as the failures of MVP’s sedimentation mitigation efforts.”
Their work with Bethlehem Farm, which emphasizes sustainable living, aligns well with WV Rivers’ vision of healthy waterways. Molly notes, “Since Bethlehem Farm is located along MVP’s route, we are able to keep an eye on our local watershed as WV Rivers focuses on the broader scope of the state, empowering folks like us to participate in the ways we are able.”
Despite the challenges they face, such as dealing with the impacts of MVP’s construction, Casey and Molly find their monitoring efforts incredibly rewarding. Molly shares, “It has been very rewarding to get to know our monitoring sites so well… The relationships we’ve been able to build with people, too… Collaborating, too, with WV Rivers, getting to know the folks who work there and feeling their ongoing support has been a pleasure.”
Casey adds, “Building a relationship with this watershed, creating art in response to this deepened connection to the river,” are some of the rewarding moments they’ve encountered. Their dedication to protecting these waterways serves as an inspiration to us all, reminding us of the importance of safeguarding our natural resources for future generations.
Casey’s vibrant series captures the essence of our streams, merging crayons, markers, and nature’s own water to bring to life the dynamic energy and beauty of flowing waters.
Save The Date: Volunteer Teleconference
Please join us for our next volunteer conference call on Tuesday, April 30th at 7 p.m. The call will be hosted on Zoom, with both video conference and dial-in options.
We will provide MVP updates, showcase CitSci data use stories, and answer any questions. We hope you can join the discussion!
When: Tuesday, April 30th at 7 p.m.
Contact Jenna at jdodson@wvrivers.org to register.
Recent Events Recap
Corridor H Visual Assessment Training
Staff Scientist Jenna Dodson gives a presentation before volunteers head into the field to conduct visual monitoring.
West Virginia Rivers Coalition partnered with Friends of the Cheat for a highway construction visual assessment training on Sunday, March 24th. The small training held at the Parsons Community Center focused on how to visually monitor the construction of Corridor H Parsons-Davis to minimize impacts to water resources.
Friends of the Cheat provided updates on the ongoing construction of Corridor H Parsons-Davis, including the construction of the bridge across the Cheat River near Holly Meadows, and West Virginia Rivers Coalition reviewed what to be on the lookout for at construction sites, as well as in the streams and rivers.
Image of volunteers standing on the Holly Meadows bridge, which crosses the Cheat River.
A photo monitoring point was set up to monitor the construction of the Holly Meadows bridge across the Cheat River. If you are passing by, we encourage you to stop and submit a monitoring photo! The submission form and instructions are on the information board at the Holly Meadows Cheat River Access Point.
If you see something concerning that could be related to Corridor H Parsons-Davis construction, please report it using the WV Stream Watch App. If needed, you can also email Jenna Dodson, jdodson@wvrivers.org, and Madison Ball, madison@cheat.org.
Check out the news coverage of the training here!
Spring Downloading: WV Stream Watch App
A harbinger of spring: Behold the trillium! Trilliums are sensitive to habitat destruction and are often considered indicators of a healthy ecosystem; their presence indicates a balanced environment with intact native flora and suitable soil conditions.
Spring is here! Ephemeral wildflowers are blooming, birds are singing, and the weather is warming up enough to get back on our wild and wonderful rivers and streams. Before your next stream walk, rail trail ride, or spring paddle, be sure to download the WV Stream Watch App.
The WV Stream Watch App is a tool you can use to document water pollution issues easily. Any concerned community member can submit photos of water pollution incidents or habitat degradation to inform follow-up on enforcement actions or restoration needs. Wondering what kinds of issues you might submit? Here are examples of issues you might notify West Virginia Rivers Coalition of using the WV Stream Watch App.
Step-by-step instructions for how to download the WV Stream Watch App can be found here. Be sure to download the Survey 123 application first and then open the WV Stream Watch survey in Survey 123. If you’d like more tips and tricks, check out our WV Stream Watch App training webinar.
Join us in being the eyes and ears of West Virginia’s rivers and streams with the WV Stream Watch App!