The Ohio River is the most polluted river in the United States. For decades, our river, which serves as a water source for 3-5 million people, has suffered due air deposition, pollution run-off and waste disposal from power plants, coal mining, chemical, manufacturing and agricultural industries. The latest threat comes from the oil and gas industries’ fracking of the Marcellus, Utica and other deep shale formations. Additionally, the oil and gas industry disposes of its radioactive wastes both underground and in landfills adjacent to the Ohio River, threatening drinking water supplies beyond our lifetime. Construction of pipelines under the Ohio River for the transportation of gas and liquid gas products are also underway or in the planning phase. Fish advisories are numerous on many segments of the Ohio River. We know our river is in dire straits when we cannot eat the fish!
During this 2018 Global Earth Exchange, we will gather at Harris Riverfront Park in Huntington, West Virginia, to be in solidarity with the Ohio River. We will meet near the boat ramp to tell stories about our connection to and concerns for the river, sing songs to the river, do readings and make art as a gift to honor the Ohio River.
The Ohio River, which has given us so much life, needs and deserves our love and acknowledgment of a deeper connection, more now than ever.This Global Earth Exchange 2018 is co-sponsored by the Ohio Valley Environmental Coalition (OVEC), Marshall University Native American Student Organization, Four-pole Creek Watershed Association, and Tri-State Water Defense.