From 5:30pm ’till 10:00pm on Friday, May 1st, and 11:30am ’till 11:30pm on Saturday, May 2nd, the festival grounds in Albright, West Virginia will once again transform into a haven for boaters, music lovers, and families.

---> Learn more here

Note: Final reports do not have to follow the semi-annual schedule. They are due no later than 30-days following the end of the performance period. However, they can be submitted before that, such as during the semi-annula period, if the project is competed. 

In this issue:

• USACE Soliciting Public Input on Nationwide Permit Program
• Your Chance to be Featured in ACWA’s 2026 Annual Report!
• Senate Introduces S. 4300, Addressing State CWA Sec. 401 Certification Authority Over Natural Gas Pipelines
• ACWA 2026 Annual Meeting - Draft Agenda Now Available
• EPA Releases Factsheet on Economic Benefits of Protecting Healthy Watersheds
• Webinars, Job Opportunities, and more!

The ACWA's Weekly Wrap is a road map of the past week's events and upcoming activities. The Wrap reminds our membership of important deadlines and highlights important information.

Help the Southern WV Chapter and Midland Trail School Trout in the Classroom kids release their aquarium raised trout into Dunloup Creek with a stream cleanup afterward. Then help the kids fish.

Meet at Dun Glen Picnic area at 9am. Picnic area is all the way down to the New River in the town of Thurmond. 

From 5:30pm ’till 10:00pm on Friday, May 1st, and 11:30am ’till 11:30pm on Saturday, May 2nd, the festival grounds in Albright, West Virginia will once again transform into a haven for boaters, music lovers, and families.

---> Learn more here

Mayfly nymphs like this flathead mayfly flutter their gills to circulate water around their bodies, allowing them to extract oxygen efficiently, especially in slow-moving or low-oxygen environments (couldn't you just watch this all day?!). Although we provide oxygen for our macroinvertebrate discovery table via bubblers, the mayfly's ability to increase oxygen uptake this way means that they can safely spend the day as stream ambassadors and then head back home to the creek when they're done!

This one had a blast at Cheat Fest, then was returned to Teeter Creek afterward.

Spot one? Snap a photo, note the location, and submit your findings on our photo submission page. Heading out? Don’t forget to clean your gear to help stop the spread of disease!

Click the link to learn read more ---> https://wonderfulwv.com/science-for-citizens/

Visit the §319 Watershed Project Grants website and scroll down to Grant Awards and Timeline drop-down box for a detailed timeline of the grant application and reporting schedules. 

Speakers: Max Herzog, Deputy Director of Programs and Partnerships, Cleveland Water Alliance R. John Dawes, Executive Director, The Commons

Register Here

A limited number of rain barrels and diverter kits will be available for sale at this workshop. Participants who stay for the presentation can purchase both for $40. Those who want to purchase them outright and not attend the presentation will be charged $80. Payment will be accepted on the day of the workshop and can be made via cash or PayPal. 

This workshop is free and open to the public, but limited to 35 participants due to space.

Register Here

Formal educators will receive a $125 stipend and a wetland resource supply kit. Information on how to register is on the workshop flyer. Note: Space is limited so Register Now link to complete your registration. 

61626-WetlandWorkshopFlyer.jpg

Media from around the Basin

• EPA says Potomac River sewage spill cleanup work is finished
• Maryland is under a ‘drought disaster.’ What that means for you
• Ongoing drought conditions trigger warning from DOF; burn bans in place across hometowns
• Environmental advocates expand water quality testing in Potomac River months after sewage spill
• How long will the Potomac River suffer sewage spill impacts?
• Months after Potomac River sewage spill, businesses are still hurting
• Science 4 Everyone: Why do data centers need water? [Video]
• This slow and steady critter stole our hearts! Meet your 2026 Potomac Critter of the Year [Blog]
• Meet Seneca Creek, a freshwater trout stream at the base of a “true peak”
• Gov. Spanberger signs wetlands, PFAS and flooding bills
• Data center construction in Montgomery County faces potential delay

Fishing News

• Anglers Reel in Big Trout at the 29th Annual Chambersburg Trout Derby
• Maryland Fishing Report
• Cool Start but Strong Bite for St. Mary’s Anglers

In this issue:

• EPA OIG Report: The EPA’s Fiscal Year 2026 Top Management Challenges
• Your Chance to be Featured in ACWA’s 2026 Annual Report!
• EPA Permitting Authority Map
• ACWA 2026 Annual Meeting - Draft Agenda Now Available
• EPA Withdraws RCRA Definition Change for PFAS
• Webinars, Job Opportunities, and more!

The ACWA's Weekly Wrap is a road map of the past week's events and upcoming activities. The Wrap reminds our membership of important deadlines and highlights important information.

• Several agencies are investigating orange-colored creek. Learn more here. 
• Stop calling it ‘common sense:’ Gutting wetland protections puts West Virginia at risk. Learn more here.
• Conservation efforts for Pa’s mussels get lift from new federal habitat designation. Learn more here. 
• Restoring Red Spruce: Converting Conifer Plantations to High-Elevation Red Spruce Forests. Learn more here. 
• Water pollution poster contest winners announced. Learn more here. 
• Identifying Landscape Character to Inform Spatial Planning and Conservation in the National Coal Heritage Area, West Virginia. Learn more here.  

Grants

• Dr Scholl Foundation. Learn more here. 
• Labcorp Supports Food Access, Healthcare, and STEM Education. Learn more here. 

Select your walk style:

1. Polly Trail with Chris Gatens (Moderate). Trees, spring ephemerals, ferns, and more Polly Hollow flora and fauna seen along the way!
2. Creek Critters with John Wirts. Meet at Shelter #3 for hands-on exploration into the aquatic life of Davis Creek! Wear water-friendly shoes!
3. Bountiful Birds with Jim Waggy (Moderate). Keeping eyes and ears peeled up Rattlesnake Hollow, this is an excellent option for birders and those wishing to become birders. Binoculars recommended; limited loaners will be available!
4. Wondrous Wetlands with Jess Blalock (Easy). Join Naturalist Jess Blalock for a walk at the T. K. Pauley Amphibian Loop! You'll investigate wetland plants, chat about vernal pools, and have opportunities to spot Eastern Newts!
5. Mine History Hike with Dale Porter. We will take the road up Shrewsbury Hollow and come back CCC Snipe Trail. About two miles. We will look at the remnants left from the deep mining of Kanawha State Forest and discuss coal mining in the early 20th century in WV.

---> Learn more here

This is a great opportunity to explore the local landscape and learn to identify native plant species with an expert. Participants will meet Frank at the Buxton and Landstreet Building at 10am before heading out on the tour!

To reserve your spot, sign up on this FOB event Facebook page. For additional questions, please contact kayla@saveblackwater.org

---> Learn more here

By joining us on the first Wednesday of every month, you can contribute to our routine water testing and learn more about our watershed. Every individual can make a difference in keeping our water safe.

Sign-up to learn more or become a volunteer at: https://forms.gle/vcH3DjogxAF32hkN9

Join us for a special two-hour webinar on one of our most popular topics: grant writing!

We’ve partnered with Nicki Bentley-Colthart from The Grant Advantage to bring you expert training on crafting successful grant proposals.

Whether you’re new to grant writing or looking to refine your skills, this session is packed with valuable tips to help you succeed. 

Register for the Webinar

Join Dr. Merri Collins and Artist Michele Pollina for a mashup of art and ecology (Artology)!We will begin in the classroom with a short talk on pond ecology and pond species communities with Dr. Collins--we will then walk together up to the newt pond at Wood Thrush Park, where local artist Michele Pollina will guide participants in a plein air painting at the pond!

Check out Micheles's website here: https://www.curioartistry.com. All materials will be provided, just bring yourself, appropriate attire for the weather, and be ready to learn science through art!

---> Register and learn more here.

Our last cleanup was such a hit, we decided to do another one! This time we will meet at the Caldwell Public Stream Access. We hope you can join us!

---> Learn more here. 

Register Here

Beneath the leaves of Appalachian forests lives the greatest diversity of salamanders on Earth. Lens in the Leaf Litter presents a collection of amphibian photography by The Allegheny Boys, a team of naturalists documenting the region’s species through fieldwork, photography, and the creation of a new field guide to the amphibians of the Central Appalachians. All prints and artwork featured in the show will directly support the development of this field guide.

In addition to the show, McClumsy will be hosting a potluck, so bring a dish, come hungry, or both. ---> Learn more here. 

Rules

• Only tires from state residents will be accepted, no tires from businesses.
• A 10 tire per person limit will be strictly enforced.
• Tires must be off the rim.
• We accept only passenger car or light truck tires.

Two paddle options, music, food, and education to celebrate our river. Any type of non-motorized recreational boats are welcome to join: canoes, kayaks, and standup paddle boards.

The cost is $10 to participate which includes on-the-water insurance protection through the American Canoe Association 

Learn more and register here.