Our mission is to preserve and protect Monroe County’s abundant, pure water. Education that leads to citizens’ involvement with watershed issues and local planning efforts are the key to Monroe County water protection.
Click for information about recent and ongoing ICWA activities.
Latest News!
FERC Decision AND Court OKs WVDEP Remand of 401 Permit
On October 13, 2017, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) issued decisions approving both the Mountain Valley Pipeline and the Atlantic Coast Pipeline. The decision was 2-1, with an important dissenting opinion by Commissioner and former Chairman Cheryl LaFleur. Read more>>
On October 17, 2017, the 4th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals granted WVDEP’s motion for voluntary remand with vacatur of the 401 permit. In effect this decision throws out DEP’s approval of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) and lets them start anew. Although the MVP received FERC approval last week, pipeline construction cannot proceed until DEP issues a new decision.
Read press release from ICWA and others challenging DEP>>
Read the order from the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals>>
For more about the FERC decision and other MVP issues >>
MVP files for eminent domain against 210 WV landowners / Landowners’ lawsuit against FERC and MVP gets first hearing
On October 24, 2017, Mountain Valley Pipeline filed for Condemnations against more than 200 landowners in 9 West Virginia counties and more than 300 landowners in Virginia, seeking to obtain easements by eminent domain.
On Friday, November 3, 2017, the first of two constitutional challenges to FERC and MVP will be heard in federal court in Roanoke, Virginia. For background, see Landowners along pipeline route sue FERC and Mountain Valley Pipeline, July 27, 2017 (Roanoke Times)
US Forest Service stands by its draft decision to approve MVP route through Jefferson National Forest
On Friday, October 20, 2017 the US Forest Service issued its “response to objections” about the FS draft decision approving the current proposed route through the Jefferson National Forest. Essentially, the FS stands by its draft decision and says the review process is over. Challenges are anticipated groups that oppose this route across the JNF and the Appalachian Trail. Read JNF Draft Record of Decision (DROD) / Read Objection Response Letter from Reviewing Official
Exciting Monroe County News! USGS to conduct a 3-year water study in Monroe County
A request by the Monroe County Commission for a hydrogeological (i.e., water and land) study has turned into a boon for the county that will have lasting value to our community, public service districts and public officials. Read more >>
WVDEP Withdraws and Suspends Two MVP Permits
On September 13, 2017, the WVDEP officially “vacated” its water quality certification (401 permit) for the MVP and on September 8, the WVDEP withdrew the MVP Stormwater permit. Read more >>
Water testing information for landowners who are concerned about the MVP
ICWA has been gathering information about issues and alternatives regarding water testing before and during construction of the Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP). Getting water tested in advance by a certified independent consultant is one step landowners can take to help ensure that you have credible baseline evidence of the quality of your pre-construction water. Read more >>
CLICK HERE to open pages about the Mountain Valley Pipeline
- Status of FERC process
- Legal challenges to the FERC, WV Department of Environmental Protection, and the Jefferson National Forest
- Access to comments and reports (karst, hydrology, cultural attachment, economic)
- ICWA Interactive Environmental Map
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About us:
Indian Creek Watershed Association (ICWA) has been an active watershed organization since 1996. Our focus and mission is “The preservation and protection of Monroe County’s abundant, pure water.” Our members come from all walks of life including the public and private sectors, self-employed and retired individuals, outdoor enthusiasts, old time families and newcomers, farmers, homemakers, school employees, social workers and historians. We are fortunate to have a strong core of individuals who are extremely interested in how the quality of our waters impacts the well being of area citizens and we continue to seek out ways to expand our membership.
Water is essential for life. It is in constant motion, running over and through the earth in groundwater, creeks, streams and rivers, collecting in lakes and ponds, and flowing into the oceans. Along the way, it evaporates into the air and returns to the earth as rain, ice and snow.
A watershed is an area of land that acts like a funnel, collecting all of the water that falls from the sky and delivering it back into a common body of water. Most of the water that falls on Monroe County flows west into the New River. Indian Creek and Rich Creek flow directly into the New, while waters from Second Creek and Wolf Creek get to the New by way of the Greenbrier River. A small amount of water in the eastern part of the county flows eastward into the James River. The water we drink and use in Monroe County comes out of our watersheds from springs and wells tapped into groundwater.
Unlike 90% of all watersheds on earth, our water runs through karst formation. Karst is a landscape with sinkholes and caves caused by underground erosion of limestone bedrock. Cracks and hollows in the limestone create underground streams and aquifers that allow surface water to rapidly join with ground water. There are both advantages and disadvantages to living on karst formation. Water in our area is abundant. Unlike some other watersheds, our ground water is rapidly replenished by surface water. However, in other watersheds toxins and other contaminants are filtered out of surface water as it works it way slowly through the soil and rock into the ground water. Flowing through relatively hollow karst, contaminants can be rapidly dumped directly into our groundwater. People living in a karst region need to educate themselves and their neighbors about the nature of their water source and work together to protect the quality of their water.
Indian Creek Watershed Association pipeline statement:
Indian Creek Watershed Association is very concerned about the impact of the two proposed pipelines on the water and watershed areas. The large size and scale of the pipes and required easement corridors; the numerous stream crossings, including in sensitive limestone and karst areas; and the erosion and run-off from vertical cuts over ridges and Peters Mountain—all of these put our watersheds at serious risk and threaten the quality of life unique to Monroe County. There must be a very transparent review and decision-making process that both solicits and takes into consideration the concerns of everyone affected.
As the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) considers its environmental impact study of the proposed Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) routes, Indian Creek Watershed Association continues to help Monroe County landowners gather information that they can use to protect our environment and culture.
Additionally, ICWA continues to file comments at the FERC, the Jefferson National Forest, the WV Department of Environmental Protection, and the Bureau of Land Management to oppose the MVP crossing Monroe County waters. Click here for more pipeline information
Join ICWA
Suggested ICWA membership donation is $10 for individuals and $15 for families.
Click to join and see the other benefits of membership.
For more information or to become involved, email: info@indiancreekwatershedassociation.org
For more information about membership and how to print a brochure about our past year’s activities and projects click here.
Join the discussion — submit a comment for this website
ICWA is a 501c3 non-profit organization. Contributions are tax-deductible.
Here are two ways to support Indian Creek Watershed Association
- Send a check: Please make your check payable to Indian Creek Watershed Association or ICWA. Mail to: Indian Creek Watershed Association, P.O. Box 711, Union, WV 24983.
- Click here for more information about donating to ICWA and how to donate on-line
