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west virginia department of environmental protection
west virginia department of environmental protection
west virginia department of environmental protection

Public Information Office

Our Mission

It is the mission of the WVDEP to efficiently and effectively carry out the State's environmental laws and regulations that are designed to provide and maintain a healthful environment consistent with the economic benefits derived from strong agricultural, manufacturing, tourism and energy-producing industries.

The mission of the Public Information Office is to provide information to the public about the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection and its work to promote a healthy environment.

Resources

Contact Us

Terry Fletcher, Chief Communications Officer
601 57th Street SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Phone: (304) 926-0499
Fax: (304) 926-0447
Email: Terry.A.Fletcher@wv.gov

Public Notices

Office of Oil & Gas: Open Comment Period for Draft Renewal for General Water Pollution Control Permit for Treated Industrial Wastewater

The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Office of Oil and Gas is proposing to renew its General Water Pollution Control Permit addressing discharges of treated industrial wastewater generated during exploratory and/or developmental drilling, well treatment operations, plugging operations and reworking of wells (GP-WV-1-88). This General Permit is issued in accordance with the provisions of Article 6, Chapter 22 of the Code of West Virginia and applies only to wells permitted under that Article. The General Permit will authorize the permittee to acquire, construct, install, modify and operate a system or parts thereof for the discharge to land of treated industrial wastewaters generated during exploratory and/or developmental drilling, well treatment operations, plugging operations and reworking of wells.

Comments pertaining to the renewal of this permit must be received by the Office no later than June 29, 2026. All comments received within this period will be considered prior to acting on the draft permit. Correspondence should include the name, address and telephone number of the commenter, as well as a concise statement of the nature of the issues being raised.

Documents

Submitting Comments

Comments may be submitted by mail to:
Chief, Office of Oil and Gas
Attn: Comment Land Application
601 57th Street SE
Charleston WV 25304

Comments may also be emailed to depoogep@wv.gov, with the phrase ‘Land Application’ included in the subject line.

Public Resources

Education and Outreach

Throughout the DEP website are links to a variety of flyers, brochures and other educational material that you may download and print. They are in PDF format for easier use.

Media Inquiries

If you are a reporter and you would like to interview a member of the WVDEP staff, please contact Terry Fletcher at Terry.A.Fletcher@wv.gov. It is our policy to respond to media requests in a timely manner; however, we do ask reporters to keep in mind that there are times when the information they are seeking is in the possession of an individual who may be working in the field and may not be immediately available.

Meeting Minutes and Annual Reports

DEP's collection of meeting minutes and annual reports are available in our document archive

Browse Collection

Freedom of Information

Overview

One method of providing information to the public is through a Freedom of Information Act request. It is commonly called a FOIA. Because the WVDEP is a government agency, many files are privy to public review.

All requests to review agency files must be made in writing. Requests may be submitted by email, fax or U.S. Mail.

Once you have filed a FOIA request, you will receive an initial response acknowledging that the DEP has received it. The response letter will inform you of the date the request was received, the divisions or offices that will be responding and a fee schedule.

The next point of contact will be from personnel within the divisions or offices that have the requested information. They will inform you whether they possess files pertaining to the request and how you may view or receive the information. If the requested files are large, you will be asked to come in to view them, and will be given information on how to schedule a time to do so.

Submit a FOIA Request

Online

You may submit a FOIA request online via our online form or by email.

Postal Mail or Fax

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection
Public Information Office: FOIA Request
601 57th Street. SE
Charleston, WV 25304
Fax: (304) 926-0447

Youth Environmental Program (YEP)

The West Virginia Youth Environmental Program was established in 1963 under the Division of Natural Resources as the West Virginia Youth Conservation Program. Its mission has not changed over the years: To provide a challenge and an opportunity to the youth of our state to participate in environmental projects within their communities.

The program is sponsored by the DEP. It is designed to unite existing youth groups such as 4-H clubs, scouts, kindergarten, elementary, junior high/middle and high schools, FFA chapters, church youth fellowships, and others toward the common goal of Making West Virginia Shine! The program provides incentive to the groups to actively participate in environmental projects such as litter cleanups, recycling drives and tree plantings. It creates an interest and enthusiasm for preserving our natural resources, with more than $15,000 in cash and other awards including a college scholarship.

YEP Quick Links

Learn More About YEP

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News and Announcements

See All News and Announcements

Report an Emergency

Imminent Danger: 911
Official Emergency Spill Report
1-800-642-3074
Non-Emergency
1-304-926-0499

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