upper potomac
PFAS Investigation Program
PFAS Investigation Program To address this pollutant, Brent works with USGS fish biologists to collect small-range fish species, which provide a food source for aquatic and terrestrial species and for humans as well, and testing them for toxic chemicals. Brent will also be conducting a survey of river participants on their fishing habits and if … Read More
Public Hearing on Reissuance of Clean Water Act Discharge Permit for Mettiki Coal Set for March 24
The Mettiki Coal operation in Western Maryland is suspected of periodically discharging contaminated water which makes its way into drinking wells and the North Branch of the Potomac River. Past inspections have shown evidence of possible metals pollution. The Mettiki facility has submitted a request for a reissuance of its Clean Water Act discharge (NPDES) permit … Read More
UPPER POTOMAC RIVERKEEPER FILES COMPLAINT AGAINST LUKE PAPERMILL
Verso, Owner of the Company Refuses to Stop Polluting Washington, D.C. – March 25 – Upper Potomac Riverkeeper (UPRK) Brent Walls today announced the filing of a federal lawsuit against Verso Corporation, the owner of the closed Luke, Maryland papermill for the ongoing pollution of the Potomac River with “black liquor,” a byproduct of paper … Read More
Keep the Cacapon Clean Initiative
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION: Brent Walls, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, is a leading figure in The Keep the Cacapon Clean Initiative (KCCI), a cooperative effort along with the Friends of the Cacapon River and Cacapon Institute to focus attention on water quality issues and to engage in “get wet” activities for river enthusiasts. 2022: THE KEEP THE CACAPON … Read More
Verso Corp. / Luke Paper Mill Campaign
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION: Washington, D.C. – November 19 – Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) today filed a Notice of Intent to Sue (NOI) Verso Corporation, owner of the now-closed Luke, Maryland paper mill, for the ongoing unlawful discharges of a toxic waste called “black liquor” into the North Branch of the Upper Potomac River. Black liquor is … Read More
Big Springs Filtration Plant & Firefighting Chemical Contamination
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION: EPA issued a lifetime health advisory (LHA) in 2016 that gave a limit of 70 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOAs, two chemicals commonly used in firefighting foam and sometimes found in drinking water. While this advisory does not set legally enforceable standards, it is typically used by public water utilities to … Read More
Clean Water is Under Attack
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION: The Administration has directed the EPA to take sweeping measures to undo clean water protections under the Clean Water Rule intended to safeguard the health of our rivers, streams and wetlands. The announcement to repeal the Clean Water Rule represents one of the most serious assaults on our water resources in decades. What … Read More
No Potomac Pipeline Campaign
CAMPAIGN INFORMATION: In 2016, behind the scenes, without public input, a West Virginia gas company called Mountaineer Gas quietly laid the groundwork for a fracked gas pipeline that would threaten the Potomac River and the National Park Service’s C&O Canal, one of the most visited national parks. Residents in Morgan County, WV became aware of … Read More
Protecting Our Water & People from Fracking
The far western panhandle of Maryland is beautiful country, graced by deep lakes, wild forests and of course the Upper Potomac River. Unfortunately it also contains a slice of the Marcellus Shale, the geologic basin that has been the target of the hydraulic fracturing, or “fracking” industry in neighboring Pennsylvania and West Virginia for years. … Read More