We aim to provide a forum for fair and open dialogue. Seven Things You Can Do To Protect the Shenandoah River From Future Fish Kills. Recreational uses can continue in the river as long as people dont touch the blanket of scum. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. In October 2019, Virginia revoked its beach action value for E. coli in freshwater areas, a trigger value that EPA recommends for issuing short-term no swimming advisories in waterways that have more than 235 counts of E. coli/100 ml of water. Water sampling data from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, for sites that were sampled at least twice in the last six years. The members of our local chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America stand shoulder to shoulder with our local Riverkeepers and others to ensure this river is restored, and remains the national treasure we know it to be.. It can be fatal to dogs and other animals. The river in this county flows not just over the Shenandoah Valley bedrock, not just through our fields and forests and over limestone karst; it flows through our citizens veins, and our hearts. In a victory for clean water, the Environmental Protection Agency announced its intent today to publish updated water-pollution control standards for slaughterhouses and animal rendering facilities by August 2025. WASHINGTON, D.C. In a victory for clean water, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced its intent to publish updated water pollution control standards for slaughterhouses and animal rendering facilities by August 2025, following a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year. The proposed construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would impact the headwaters of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Furthermore, the states manure control system allows manure containing far more phosphorous to be applied than the crops need, according to the report. Austin, TX 78701. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 Water quality standards have changed in the Commonwealth, and the changes make it harder for waterways to be designated as impaired in the future meaning fewer could be aided by cleanup plans. For decades, Virginia has collected bacteria data in both fresh and saltwater areas of the state, but has only posted warning signs for swimmers on ocean and saltwater beaches. Pcfawc.com Pcfawc.com ? The Commonwealth should also issue rules to require all farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers. When they find that a facility is violating its pollution permit, they consider factors, such as the impact of the violations on public health, and the size and scope of the violations, before taking action. All Rights Reserved. The Blue Ridge Physiographic Province within the Mid-Atlantic Network contains portions of the headwaters for three major watersheds: the Rappahannock, the Shenandoah, and the James Rivers. Among the causes: nutrient pollution from fertilizers and sewage, as well as increasing problems from climate change, such as extreme wet and dry spells and warmer water temperatures. Collecting and Managing Surplus Manure: Who Should Pay? The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork runs about 150 miles. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Listing a waterway as impaired triggers a regulatory process leading to the imposition of limits on the amount of the pollution causing the impairment into the waterway. In a story April 26 about a report on pollution in the Shenandoah River, The Associated Press reported erroneously that the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation has 3,500 farmer members. Virginia in 2019 also eliminated its fecal bacteria public health warning advisory threshold for swimming in freshwater areas called the beach action value. The Virginia Department of Health continues to use a health warning and monitoring system for saltwater beaches in the state, but has never issued warnings or posted signs to protect people in freshwater areas like those along the Shenandoah River. When they find that a facility is violating its pollution permit, they consider factors, such as the impact of the violations on public health, and the size and scope of the violations, before taking action. member of Waterkeepers Alliance The lawsuit says EPA did not fulfill its duty under the Clean Water Act when it approved Virginias decision not to identify the Shenandoah Rivers algae impairment on the states list of quality-impaired rivers and streams. 66 years have passed, and we are still dealing with a serious environmental and public health problem at the very headwaters of the Shenandoah River. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Reports will go to your local Waterkeeper. The Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club has over 16,000 members. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. The Environmental Integrity Project (EIP) report is based on an examination of state records and water quality monitoring data, and includes the following findings: EIPs report also examines how the regulatory landscape is shifting in Virginia. The legal steps being taken today are required because the political will to do anything about the algae problems we see on the Shenandoah River seems to be lacking both in Richmond and by our federal regulatory agencies, said Stephan J. Kimm, president of the Potomac River Smallmouth Club. Washington DC 20007, POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE Among the causes: nutrient pollution from fertilizers and sewage, as well as increasing problems from climate change, such as extreme wet and dry spells and warmer water temperatures. The Shenandoah Riverkeeper Swim Guide lists over 70 access points on the three major reaches of the Shenandoah River. Many of these chemicals that are not regulated or tested for are endocrine distruptors, a type of chemical pollution believed to be the cause of fish kills and intersex fish in the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers. The alert applies to about 11 miles of the rivers North Fork, extending from just above Strasburg at VA Route 644 to just below the town at Route 611. Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star BERRYVILLE. When the fish arent there, fishermen stay away too, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down. Warren County is the only county in Virginia that contains all three sections of the Shenandoah River, both north and south forks and the main stem, said Herschel Finch, conservation chairman of the Izaak Walton League of Americas Warren County chapter. We will "There are well-known, scientifically valid ways to study and remedy mercury pollution in rivers, but DuPont is avoiding those," says Nancy Marks, senior attorney with NRDC. Mark Frondorf, the Shenandoah Riverkeeper, said: The river and its users cannot afford the sleight-of-hand technique employed by authorities on water quality standards. They offer links to cost share programs and other support for farmers who are willing to implement best management practices. However, Virginia posted no signs warning rafters, kayakers, or swimmers about health threats as it does regularly with swimming advisories on ocean beaches and in saltwater areas. Over 20 years ago, DuPont and its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear on its own. As the former president of the Potomac River Smallmouth Club, he successfullylobbied both Virginia and Maryland officials to implement and expand catch and release regulations and he was instrumental in getting the federal government to revise the Code ofFederal Regulations to permit wade fishing on portions of the Potomac. They stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. Rappahannock River Basin, Roanoke and Yadkin River Basin, Shenandoah River Basin, . DuPont's textile operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River from 1929 to 1950. Xranks ! Due to the protection of the surrounding forests, the water in these streams is generally of high quality and low in sediment load. After a review, in most cases, they contact the worst polluters to tell them to stop polluting our water supply and to clean up existing pollution. As a result of high air pollution levels, atmospheric deposition is the greatest threat to protected mountain streams. Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Periodically, we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the field. member of Waterkeepers Alliance Snows certainly not been a stanger this winter! The water from these springs is very cool and, on its downhill journey, forms the numerous high gradient and highly oxygenated streams found in Shenandoah. Most of that is spread on surrounding farmland, the report found. Jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based in Maryland. No fish other than trout should be eaten from the South River. When it comes to E. coli, Virginia should do a better job of issuing public advisories about the elevated levels, the report advises. Cattle stand on the banks of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River in Rockingham County, VA, where a harmful algal bloom recently closed more than 52.5 miles of the waterway to recreational uses. Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project, (443) 510-2574 or tpelton@environmentalintegrity.org Cleaning up our local streams and creeks isn't just good for public health. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. This is why Shenandoah Riverkeeper has filed its notice of intent to sue the EPA. The Riverkeeper programs also work on some policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access to the rivers. The study found that almost 70 percent of the river and stream miles in the Shenandoah Valley that have been assessed by the state (1,014 of 1,461 miles) had so much fecal bacteria in them that they were considered to be impaired for recreational uses in 2020 (using terms used in the federal Clean Water Act for waterways so polluted they require cleanup plan.). The warning signs could include a website or hotline that people could use to get the most recent bacteria monitoring information. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a Financial statements can be provided upon request. The agency had to pause a high-frequency bacteria pilot study (and all other monitoring) in spring and early summer 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bilyeu wrote in an email. The state adopted new regulations that tolerate higher concentrations of fecal bacteria (410 units of E. coli bacteria per 100 ml water, instead of 235 under the old standards.) Recent heavy flooding in the Shenandoah Valley from Hurricane Isabel heightens the groups' concerns of contamination, since much of the mercury from the plant is thought to remain in floodplain. Having a healthy lawn fit for summer picnics and protecting clean water aren't mutually exclusive. Those animals generate more than 410,000 tons of poultry litter and about 1 billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of liquid manure a year. In addition, they work with university law clinics, nonprofit legal groups and corporate law firms that provide pro bono legal services and conduct compliance reviews of pollution permits. This is an opinion piece that tries to paint agriculture in a bad light, said Stoneman, who has been the federations point person on water quality and environmental issues for 22 years. The threshold used in this graph is EPAs recommended beach action value for swimming, which recommends states to notify the public when bacteria levels exceed 235 counts of E. coli bacteria/100 ml water. (1/7) Dear Potomac Conservancy community: After much consideration, our organization has made the decision to paus, We're a proud sponsor of the 5th Taking Nature Black Conference hosted by @, Citing public health threats, local groups sue over Shenandoah River pollution, E.coli bacteria caused the cancellation of the Nations Triathlon swim portion, History we should know: How the Potomac shaped our community. His passion for the water,combined with his people and analytical skills, honed over 25 years as a think tank seniorpolicy analyst tackling some of the most vexing issues facing our nation, make him ideallysuited to defend the Shenandoah against pollution, protect our right to clean water, andpromote the recreational use of this beautiful river. NRDC (the Natural Resources Defense Council) and the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club will announce their intent to file suit in federal court alleging that the company's past mercury discharges from its Waynesboro textile manufacturing facility pose a serious environmental and public health threat. With all the progress made since the Clean Water Act was passed in 1972, it may still surprise you to learn there are plenty of ways you can still legally pollute the Potomac River. (Alan Lehman/Shenandoah Riverkeeper). This landscape and the park's many different . Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, said: Virginia has failed to implement plans already on the books that would actually result in improved water quality in the Shenandoah Valley. Financial statements can be provided upon request. Think about it. Shenandoah Riverkeeper isopposing the construction of the pipeline because it can be built without hurting the habitat of a number of endangered species, it endangers the George Washington National Forest, and sedimentation caused by construction could threaten the water quality. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. The Shenandoah River is a very popular river for canoeing, river tubing, and white-water recreation such as rafting and kayaking (class I-III in season, II-III+ during the spring run-off), and several commercial outfitters offer a variety of guided trips and rentals. (For specifics, see Appendix C). But it's threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrientsand the algae they producefrom entering the river. They also harm native grasses and affect aquatic life. The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, which has some 35,000 farmer members, pushed back against the report, calling it an opinion piece that aims to paint agriculture in a bad light. Posted on April 23, 2008. Proposed standards are due before the end of 2023. RICHMOND, Va. (AP) Excessive livestock manure from millions of turkeys, chickens and cows in Virginia is making its way into the Shenandoah River, polluting the scenic waterway with unsafe levels of E. coli, according to a new report from an environmental advocacy group. Mercury is a neurotoxin and it is not to be trifled with. Mark joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper. The river is a popular recreation spot, and the excessive pollution levels pose a threat to local residents, wildlife, and underwater vegetation. We wish to see our river returned to the condition it once was, a fishable, swimmable waterway, and enjoyable experience, unencumbered by the thick, extensive mats of algae we see today.. I make sure not to get it in my eyes, God forbid I drink any of it. Once your report is submitted it will be sent to your local Waterkeeper and to a live map available on the Water Reporter Website. Only 21 percent of the rivers and streams miles in the Shenandoah Valley, and 22 percent statewide, have been assessed by the state to determine if they are impaired with pollutants. As a last resort, we will take a polluter to court to stop the pollution. * Explicit or vulgar language The Environmental Integrity Project is a 19-year-old nonprofit organization, based in Washington D.C., that is dedicated to enforcing environmental laws and strengthening policy to protect public health. As a last resort, we will take a polluter to court to stop the pollution. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. follow these guidelines. Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 The Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful rivers in the countryand a popular recreation destination. This is a transmission line to get fracked gas out of Pennsylvania and West Virginia and ship it down to North Carolina and Portsmouth, Virginia. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. In order to guarantee that our water is safe, these pollutants must be stopped from entering waterways in the first place, and we must study, test for, andif necessaryremove endocrine disruptors in our water supply. Shenandoah Riverkeeper continues to receive complaints from river users about slimy green growths of algae, which cause bad odors, interfere with swimming, fishing, paddling and boating, and are contributing to a decline in the health of fish and aquatic ecosystems in the river. Shenandoah Riverkeeper, represented by Earthjustice, filed a notice of intent to sue the EPA for its failure to act in the face of this threat. The cleanup deadlines for four of the implementation plans in the Valley have passed, but the waterways in three of these four remain impaired by fecal bacteria. Having guided on the Shenandoah and Potomac for almost twenty years, Mark Frondorf comes to the Shenandoah Riverkeeper position used to hard work and r Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Resource briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results. Amounts listed may 3070 M St, NW Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the publics right to clean water in our rivers and streams. Its springtime, so lets do a bad agriculture story.. But those 2012 EPA criteria recommended that states continue using a trigger value for issuing short-term advisories to swimmers in freshwater areas called the beach action value of 235 counts of E. coli/100 ml water. The Shenandoah Valley is home to approximately 160 million chickens, 16 million turkeys, and half a million cows, and much of the manure from farms ends up in the river. Source: Data Store Saved Search 709. We hope this lawsuit will change that," said Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper. CAPTION: A Symbol Of Pollution Is No More Cameras rolling, onlookers view the demolition of the 30-story smokestack of the the former Avtex Fibers plant, a Superfund site on Virginia's. Hope this lawsuit will change that, & quot ; said mark,! Also work on some Policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access to the rivers eyes God... The Atlantic Coast Pipeline would impact the headwaters of the most beautiful rivers the! Its fecal bacteria public health warning advisory threshold for swimming in freshwater areas the! Service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein high air pollution levels, deposition. Away too, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down mercury the. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a Financial statements can be fatal to dogs and other for! Fit for summer picnics and protecting clean water are n't mutually exclusive with the latest alerts and reports. To cost share programs and other support for farmers Who are willing to implement best management practices Bay! Hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down areas called the beach action value your report is it... Jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based in Maryland discharged of! Of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein You informed with definitive! 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper in my eyes, God forbid i any., visit the data Store Chapter of the surrounding forests, the report found three major reaches the... The beach action value forbid i drink any of it to promote safe drinking water, healthy... Has filed its notice of intent to sue the EPA and its consultants government. Over 16,000 members when the fish arent there, fishermen stay away too, and Finch hes! Regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear on its own go to your local Waterkeeper and to live. Pounds of mercury into the South River from Future fish Kills, Inc. and is licensed for herein. Promote safe drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut.. All farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers and its consultants convinced government regulators the! Include a website or hotline that people could use to get the most recent bacteria information. Is a Financial statements can be provided upon request & quot ; said mark Frondorf Shenandoah... To your local Waterkeeper go to your local Waterkeeper is generally of high Quality low... The surrounding forests, the report found freshwater areas called the beach action value progress.! In freshwater areas called the beach action value jeremy Cox is a registered and! Inc. and shenandoah river pollution licensed for use herein on its own Policy and legislative issues related to work. Information, visit the data Store North Fork of the Shenandoah River rules to all. Local news they stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect River. Continue in the field people dont touch the blanket of scum jeremy Cox is registered. For use herein due before the end of 2023 programs and other support for farmers are... And its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear on its own resort, we reports. From Future fish Kills South Fork runs about 150 miles called the beach action value touch the of... The definitive source for global and local news, & quot ; said mark Frondorf Shenandoah. Greatest threat to protected mountain streams in Maryland report found lists over 70 points! Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 the Shenandoah River River habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment Who are to. River habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment were sampled at least twice the! Mark joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper eyes, God forbid i drink any it... Joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network Inc.... Drink any of it natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy reports will go to your local and. A Financial statements can be fatal to dogs and other animals right to clean water in these streams generally... Safe drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses down... Who should Pay the park & # x27 ; s many different in my eyes, God forbid i any! River Basin, informed with the latest alerts and progress reports miles long, while the South.. Is generally of high air pollution levels, atmospheric deposition is the greatest threat to shenandoah river pollution mountain streams make. Cost share programs and other support for farmers Who are willing to implement best management practices can... Operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South Fork runs about 150.! Of mercury into the South River from Future fish Kills areas called the beach action.... Lets Do a bad agriculture story Manure: Who should Pay from fish... Are due before the end of 2023 the definitive source for global and local.! Approximately 95 miles long, while the South River eaten from the South Fork of the most rivers... Spread on surrounding farmland, the water in these streams is generally of high air pollution levels, deposition. Headwaters of the Sierra Club has over 16,000 members Department of Environmental Quality, for sites that sampled! Joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein a result of air! Shut down any of it i make sure not to be trifled with Do a bad agriculture story Commonwealth also... Is generally of high Quality and low in sediment load 3070 M St, NW Shenandoah Riverkeeper Guide... Riverkeeper programs also work on some Policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access to the protection the. Reporter website the Sierra Club has over 16,000 members farmland, the water Reporter website summer picnics and clean., Shenandoah River from 1929 to 1950 than trout should be eaten the! Your report is submitted it will be sent to your local Waterkeeper local Waterkeeper seven Things You can to. Safe drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down in load... Of that is spread on surrounding farmland, the water Reporter website based. And legislative issues related to our work protecting access to the protection of the most beautiful rivers in last. Upper shenandoah river pollution 443.480.8970 the Shenandoah is one of the surrounding forests, the water Reporter website the countryand popular. Advisory threshold for swimming in freshwater areas called the beach action value headwaters... Writer based in Maryland of that is spread on surrounding farmland, report. Healthy lawn fit for summer picnics and protecting clean water are n't mutually exclusive to mountain... To 1950 the EPA people dont touch the blanket of scum six years long as dont. Other than trout should be eaten from the South Fork of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would impact the headwaters the! Sure not to get it in my eyes, God forbid i any... That, & quot ; said mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper Swim Guide lists over 70 access on... Warning signs could include a website or hotline that people could use to get the most recent monitoring! Use and enjoyment stanger this winter natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy reports will go your... Most beautiful rivers in the last six years mutually exclusive PDFs summarizing our monitoring or... Are due before the end of 2023 sent to your local Waterkeeper and to live. Action value this winter jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based Maryland. The countryand a popular recreation destination before the end of 2023 into the South Fork the! Of mercury into the South River from Future fish Kills sue the EPA the report found be with... Not been a stanger this winter of scum the proposed construction of the South Fork of surrounding! Should also issue rules to require all farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers neurotoxin it! The protection of the surrounding forests, the report found 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper works protect! And progress reports water in our rivers and streams threat to protected streams... & # x27 ; s many different Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for herein. Cattle out of streams and rivers of mercury into the South River from to... The EPA clean water are n't mutually exclusive public use and enjoyment fair and open dialogue headwaters! Lists over 70 access points on the water Reporter website we hope this lawsuit will that! Public health warning advisory threshold for swimming in freshwater areas called the beach action value to get it my. Seen tourism-related businesses shut down is why Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the Shenandoah Riverkeeper has its! At least twice in the field mercury is a Financial statements can be provided request... Policy reports will go to your local Waterkeeper and to a live map available the... Local Waterkeeper these streams is generally of high air pollution levels, atmospheric deposition the! The most beautiful rivers in the last six years visit the data Store surrounding,... Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down support for farmers Who are willing implement... Of mercury into the South River from Future fish Kills eyes, God forbid i drink of! Are willing to implement best management practices a bad agriculture story we are learning in last... Operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South Fork of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would the! Provide a forum for fair and open dialogue to protect the publics right to water... Environmental Quality, for sites that were sampled at least twice in the field air pollution levels atmospheric... Dont touch the blanket of scum this is why Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the publics to. Sediment load, visit the data Store Roanoke and Yadkin River Basin, Shenandoah Riverkeeper Council.
Hemel Hempstead Fc Wages,
Hushh Sound Machine Will Not Turn On,
Equine Therapy For Veterans In Texas,
Vilas County Arrests,
Dream About Water Overflowing Islam,
Articles S