Office of Environmental Advocate

Overview

The Office of the Environmental Advocate provides daily assistance to the public by helping citizens navigate the agency's regulatory framework and ensuring information requests and complaints are directed to the appropriate staff. Requests for assistance can include questions about the public comment process, how to appeal agency decisions, how to file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, and how best to notify the agency about potential or ongoing environmental issues.

Contact Us

Dennis Stottlemyer, Environmental Advocate
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0441
Email: depadvocate@wv.gov


Citizen Resources

DEP Citizen's Guide

The DEP Citizen's Guide is a document intended to introduce citizens to the divisions within DEP as well as provide guidance and insight for requesting information, public participation into rulemaking processes, filing environmental complaints, and more.

Permit Hearings and Appeals Guide

This guide is designed to provide an overview of public participation in the DEP permit application process and the steps to appeal a DEP decision.


Programs Overseen by the Office of Environmental Advocate

Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan (REAP)

Since 2005, the Rehabilitation Environmental Action Plan strives to clean up West Virginia and rid the state of unsightly litter. The REAP initiative harbors all of the state cleanup programs within the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection. REAP is a powerful force in the campaign against illegal dumping and littering.

REAP focuses on cleanup efforts from both program staff and volunteers statewide. In a unique partnership, the program empowers citizens to take ownership of their communities by providing technical, financial, and resource assistance in cleanup efforts.

Dilapidated Structures

The "Reclamation of Abandoned and Dilapidated Properties Program" was created within DEP by the West Virginia Legislature in 2021. Unfortunately, the legislation did not specify any immediate funding source for the program. In March of 2022, the Legislature approved a transfer by the Governor's Office of $10,000,000 to launch a pilot phase for the new program. As a result, grants for the reimbursement of demolition expenses for previously targeted structures in 21 selected towns and counties from around the state began in July 2022.

That pilot phase of funding for demolition of abandoned and dilapidated structures was designed to last one year. It is anticipated that the effort will be expanded in the future to include numerous additional towns and counties.