Who Killed Dunkard Creek? (Part 2)

by: Clem Guttata

Mon Oct 26, 2009 at 05:12:00 AM EDT

Dunkard Creek is dead. Travel back in time with us as we review a long list of suspects. Full series here. (All emphasis mine.)

Who Killed Dunkard Creek?

March 07, 2005

Manchin reverses course on water rulemaking bill.
Ken Ward Jr.

In a reversal of a campaign pledge, Gov. Joe Manchin has decided not to oppose a bill that would strip the state Environmental Quality Board of its authority to write West Virginia's water pollution limits.

Manchin was persuaded not to fight the legislation by Stephanie Timmermeyer, secretary of the state Department of Environmental Protection.

Under the bill (SB287), authority to write the state's water pollution standards would move from the environmental board to DEP.

The bill was introduced by Sens. Shirley Love, D-Fayette, and John Pat Fanning, D-McDowell.

Last year, under the Wise administration, Timmermeyer opposed any immediate change in the way state water rules are written. This year, she has said she hopes lawmakers will transfer the job to the DEP.

"Rulemaking for water quality properly lies with this agency," Timmermeyer said Friday.

DEP SECRETARY TIMMERMEYER TO STEP DOWN JULY 1

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- After six years with the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection, Cabinet Secretary Stephanie R. Timmermeyer announced today that she is stepping down, effective July 1, 2008.

Timmermeyer joined the DEP in December 2001 as the agency's director of Air Quality, and she was named cabinet secretary in January 2003 by then-Gov. Bob Wise. She has continued in her role as cabinet secretary throughout Gov. Manchin's administration. Timmermeyer has the distinction of being the department's longest-serving secretary.

[snip]

Manchin said Timmermeyer has been a tremendous asset to his administration and a truly dedicated public servant during all her years as DEP secretary.

"Her success this session in working with the Legislature to overcome an eight-year impasse and ensure that our state's high-quality streams are protected is just one example of the many positive things that have been accomplished during her tenure on behalf of West Virginia's environment," the governor said.