Your Comments Needed on Water Quality Standards Revision

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Your Comments Needed on Water Quality Standards Revision - Act by July 19

Your comments needed by July 19!

A recent a policy decision by the WVDEP related to water quality standards creates a loophole to allow industries to dump more toxins in our source water. This proposal is part of a second round of human health criteria revisions – the portion of our water quality standards that protect our health from dangerous pollutants like cancer causing toxins, chemicals known to cause birth-defects, and poisons like cyanide.

We’ve had a chance to analyze the proposed revision with our water policy workgroup and have come to the conclusion that the policy is dangerous for West Virginia. Not only will it allow more toxins in our drinking water sources, it creates a shortcut for polluters to allow EVEN MORE toxins in our water with less public involvement.

It’s important for the WVDEP to hear personalized responses from commenters. Think about how the policy change would affect you and your loved ones personally and share your respectful comments.

Fill out this form to contact the WVDEP. We encourage you to customize your message for more impact.

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Christopher Smith Water Quality Standards, DWWM WV Department of Environmental Protection

Subject: Proposed Changes to Legislative Rule 47 C.S.R. 2 - Water Quality Standards

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Thank you for this opportunity to comment on WVDEP proposed revision to West Virginia's Water Quality Standards. While I support WVDEP’s adoption of more of EPA’s updated criteria that WV needs to adequately protect human health, I oppose the policy proposed in paragraph 8.2.c for the following reasons. 1. The proposed policy creates a loophole allowing industry to weaken the human health criteria in our water quality standards. This revision benefits big corporations who can afford expensive studies, and puts smaller businesses and the public at a disadvantage who are without the resources to fund similar studies. 2. There is already a process in place to revise water quality standards. The revision sidesteps that process by creating a shortcut with less scrutiny by the Legislature and the public. 3. The loophole is likely to exacerbate existing environmental justice issues by allowing more toxins in waters near industrialized areas, which are often poorer communities that are already struggling with problems related to social, economic, and environmental justice. 4. The proposed revision is vague and sets a bad precedent. The loophole could allow weakened human health criteria in all waters of the state. 5. WV already has the 3rd highest cancer death rate in the nation. Allowing industry to dump more toxic chemicals into our water increases health risks for West Virginians to benefit industry. For the reasons stated above, I strongly encourage WVDEP to strike paragraph 8.2.c from the rule. Thank you for considering these comments.

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Your Comments Needed on Water Quality Standards Revision - Act by July 19

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Your Comments Needed on Water Quality Standards Revision - Act by July 19

Sorry, we're not targeting any representatives in your district. But, you can still help!

The comment period for this document is now closed. But, you can still help!

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