LWVWV members July 2021

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Action Alert: WV Water Protections Under Revision – Act by July 19
by Julie Archer 11 Aug '21

11 Aug '21

We're sharing this important Action Alert from our friends at the WV Rivers Coalition. All Hands on Deck: WV Water Protections Under Revision 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 protects our health from dangerous pollutants like cancer causing toxins, chemicals known to cause birth-defects, and poisons like cyanide. Submit comments on the proposal today! [1] This 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. Ways this policy puts our health and our water at risk: * The proposal creates a loophole for industry to further weaken the human health criteria on a case-by-case basis if industry funds a study that sways the WVDEP to decide that water and fish can handle more toxins. * This is handout to big corporations, who can afford the studies. Hint: chemical manufacturers asked for this loophole, so we are pretty sure they can afford these studies and are confident they believe they can demonstrate results in their favor. * There is already a process in place to revise water quality standards. The revision sidesteps that procedure by creating a shortcut that reduces scrutiny and public input in decision-making. * The loophole exacerbates 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. * On top of all these factors, it's just plain old bad policy. It's_ _vague and sets a precedent for further weakening of water quality standards statewide. This is an all hand on deck call to action! You can submit comments on the proposal through July 19 here [1]. 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. In addition to submitting written comments, please plan to join the virtual public hearing on the proposal on July 19 at 6:00PM [2]. Links: ------ [1] https://wvrivers.salsalabs.org/hhc2021/index.html [2] https://dep.wv.gov/events/Pages/event.aspx?eventid=363

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Young WV Week of Action; Redistricting Public Hearings
by Julie Archer 26 Jul '21

26 Jul '21

CORRECTION: An earlier version of this email reversed that dates for the Morgantown & Martinsburg Young WV rallies. Today kicks off a Week of Action organized by Young West Virginia [1]. They are hosting rallies across the state to help garner community action in support of the For the People Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and D.C. Statehood. These pro-democracy reforms are our once in a generation opportunity to protect our freedom to vote, end partisan and racial gerrymandering, and get dark money out of politics. Join a rally near you. Events are happening in: * Monday July 26, Charleston - RSVP here [2] - Facebook Event [3] * Tuesday July 27, Huntington - RSVP here [4] - Facebook Event [5] * Thursday July 29, Bluefield - RSVP here [6] - Facebook Event [7] * Friday July 30, Morgantown - RSVP here [8] * Saturday July 31, Martinsburg - RSVP here [9] Join Young WV's week of action and play a part in fulfilling the promise of our democracy. This week is also the start of a series of listening sessions hosted by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting, with public hearings in Winfield (Tuesday 7/27) and Logan (Thursday 7/29). All 12 in-person public hearings will take place from 6 to 8 PM, with doors opening at 5:30 PM to begin the sign-in process. Anyone who would like to be guaranteed an opportunity to speak during the hearings will need to be present to sign in by 6 PM. See the full schedule and other redistricting information and resources compiled by our Fair Maps Committee here. [10] Let's take advantage of the upcoming hearings to let legislators know that when it comes to our districts, we want a transparent process we can trust, where communities remain whole and where voters have an equal voice. Thanks for all you do! Julie -- Julie Archer Co-President, League of Women Voters of West Virginia (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/youngwestvirginia/ [2] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402408/ [3] https://www.facebook.com/events/1658370897701899 [4] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402409/ [5] https://www.facebook.com/events/308223144373789 [6] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402410/ [7] https://www.facebook.com/events/1307742959661053 [8] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402411/ [9] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/event/402412/ [10] https://lwvwv.org/redistricting-information-resources/ 

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Young WV Week of Action; Redistricting Public Hearings
by Julie Archer 26 Jul '21

26 Jul '21

Today kicks off a Week of Action organized by Young West Virginia [1]. They are hosting rallies across the state to help garner community action in support of the For the People Act, John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, and D.C. Statehood. These pro-democracy reforms are our once in a generation opportunity to protect our freedom to vote, end partisan and racial gerrymandering, and get dark money out of politics. Join a rally near you. Events are happening in: * July 26th Charleston * July 27th Huntington * July 29th Bluefield * July 30th Martinsburg * July 31st Morgantown You can find events and RSVP here [2]. This week is also the start of a series of listening sessions hosted by the Legislature's Joint Committee on Redistricting, with public hearings in Winfield (Tuesday 7/27) and Logan (Thursday 7/29). All 12 in-person public hearings will take place from 6 to 8 PM, with doors opening at 5:30 PM to begin the sign-in process. Anyone who would like to be guaranteed an opportunity to speak during the hearings will need to be present to sign in by 6 PM. See the full schedule and other redistricting information and resources compiled by our Fair Maps Committee here. [3] Let's take advantage of the upcoming hearings to let legislators know that when it comes to our districts, we want a transparent process we can trust, where communities remain whole and where voters have an equal voice. Thanks for all you do! Julie -- Julie Archer Co-President, League of Women Voters of West Virginia (304) 610-9094 (cell) Links: ------ [1] https://www.facebook.com/youngwestvirginia/ [2] https://www.mobilize.us/dfadcoalition/?country=US&end_date=2021-08-01T0… [3] https://lwvwv.org/redistricting-information-resources/ 

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LWVWV members July 2021