On 12 January 2016, an ordinance to prohibit disposal and dumping of hazardous wastes, especially drill cuttings and fluids from hydrofracturing, passed unanimously after its second reading before the Fayette County (WV) Commission.

The WV Mountain Party’s grassroots guidance led the way to the passage of this historic law. Since the inception of this ordinance, the West Virginia Mountain Party has been the principle leader on this issue. From authoring the petition and original draft of the ordinance, to aiding Headwaters Defense members and other local citizens distribute leaflets and circulate the petition to collect over 5,000 signatures urging countywide passage, the Mountain Party was instrumental in getting it done.

While the WV legislature toys with devices to reduce wages of working citizens, and figures out ways to reduce of corporate taxes to let public infrastructures further deteriorate, and even grant companies the power to unilaterally dishonor legitimate contracts, MOUNTAIN PARTY leaders have been preparing and shepherding this historic ordinance to help keep water safe for the residents of Fayette County and those downstream.

Tom Rhule, Environmental Justice Committee, WV Mountain Party