Support for Watershed Groups
The implementation of water quality improvement projects in West Virginia is a coordinated effort of state, federal,
and local government working in cooperation with citizen groups and other NGOs who are passionate about
environmental issues and dedicated to improving the quality of life within their watershed. WVDEP
coordinates these
efforts through the Division of Water and Waste Management, Nonpoint Source Program, 106 and Stream Partners.
Components of this Cooperative Effort Includes
- Watershed Association
Watershed groups (WGs) are dedicated groups of individuals and organizations,
usually volunteers, who represent the interest of the community and the environment with a mission, goals,
and plan for implementing water quality improvement projects, enhancing habitat, developing recreational
activities and informing their neighbors of the importance of natural resource protection.
- Stream Partners
West Virginia's Stream Partners Program is a cooperative effort amoung
multiple state agencies and is housed within the WVDEP's Division of Water and Waste Management.
- Basin
Coordinators
Basin Coordinators (BCs) help local watershed restoration and protection
efforts become reality. These experts are responsible for organizing local efforts to implement water
quality improvement projects.
- Project
Teams
A Project Team is a group of people who are interested in the health and
protection of their streams and watershed. They come together at a local level to plan and implement water
quality improvement projects, to educate themselves and their neighbors about how to protect our resources,
and to make a positive impact on the quality of life within their community.
Additional Resources
WV Save Our
Streams
- Description: The mission of WV Save Our Streams (SOS) is to promote the preservation and
restoration of our state's waters by providing an understanding of their ecological integrity. This mission
is accomplished by conducting workshops, training volunteers on how to monitor their local wadeable streams
and rivers.
Nonpoint Source
Program
- Description: West Virginia's Nonpoint Source (NPS) Program coordinates multi-agency and
non-government organizations efforts to address nonpoint pollution.
WV Conservation
Agency
- Description: The West Virginia Conservation Agency aims to provide for and promote the
protection and conservation of West Virginia's soil, land, water and related resources for the health,
safety and general welfare of the state's citizens.