, much of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli. Virginia is required by the Act to consider all information about stream impairments when updating its list. Virginia should strengthen its bacteria standards and post swimming advisory signs in freshwater areas used by rafters and swimmers that are contaminated with fecal bacteria, especially now that rafting and tubing season is starting up on the Shenandoah River, said Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. The South River Science Team was established in 2001 and began conducting studies to understand how mercury enters the South River and why mercury in South River and South Fork Shenandoah River fish continue to remain elevated some 60 years after it was used at the former DuPont facility in Waynesboro, Virginia. Shenandoah National Park consists of nearly 200,000 acres of protected land in Northern Virginia and boasts over 500 miles of hiking trails, the 105 mile Skyline Drive with beautiful views, and thousands of living creatures, including the endangered Shenandoah Salamander that is only found in the park. DEQs refusal to even evaluate this evidence to make an impairment determination is unacceptableas is EPAs failure to step in and perform its oversight duties as the Clean Water Act requires it to do.. Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the publics right to clean water in our rivers and streams. The state issues public advisories warning beachgoers to stay out of the ocean when bacteria levels do not meet the recreational standard. You have permission to edit this article. No more than two meals pound each or the size of your hand of fish per month should be eaten from the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. The Sierra Club, founded over a century ago, is a national non-profit organization of over 700,000 members dedicated to exploring, enjoying, and protecting the wild places of the earth; to practicing and promoting the responsible use of the earth's ecosystems and resources; to educating and enlisting humanity to protect and restore the quality of the natural and human environment; and to using all lawful means to carry out these objectives. Last year, pollution credit trading allowed the Strasburg Sewage Treatment Plant to release 2,942 pounds of phosphorus into the North Fork of the Shenandoah, according to the new Environmental . Today's announcement marks that notice. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and James River Association, represented by in . Agricultural runoff, including manure from the Valleys many livestock operations and industrial scale poultry operations, is a source of contamination for 71 percent of the polluted river and stream miles in the Shenandoah Valley, according to state figures. Experts say that they usually are a symptom of an ecosystem out of balance. Discharge Pipes (or any other apparent point source pollution) - Discharge pipes that are discolored, emitting a foul odor, a lot of foam, or some other detectable pollution fall under this . Unfortunately, much of it is making its way into our rivers, causing serious threats to wildlife and public health, a new study found. Paddling on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in the George Washington National Forest. There are sections where its just completely unproductive to go fish anymore because the algae is taking up all the oxygen and the fish just cant survive, he said Wednesday in a conference call with reporters. 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.. If constructed, this pipeline will traverse the South River, one of two rivers that join up down by Waynesboro to form the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. They include a descriptive narrative of what we monitor and why, our field methods, how we analyze and manage our data, and more. Potentially toxic algae mats return to Shenandoah River, Outside in: Explore nature through the Great Indoors, Savor the history, grounds of Virginia's Windsor Castle Park, Warm, cozy stays await state park visitors in the Chesapeake region, For an escape from suburbia, Sandy Bottom Nature Park is tops. But pollution management plans, also called nutrient management plans, are only required for large livestock operations, which account for only 12.5 percent of the farmland in those counties, the report says. 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 sediments, which are disturbed during high river flows. Here are a few of the most common and most effective changes we ask farmers to make: The program begins by initiating dialogue with the farmers to build trust and understanding about the way their farming practices may be damaging our water supply. Greg Bilyeu, Director of Communications Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ), said his agency is planning to increase the frequency of its bacteria monitoring in certain, select areas where people actually swim, and will release an updated bacteria monitoring strategy this fall. Cement manufacturers are dumping their pollution into Virginian communities with impunity. Most of that is spread on surrounding farmland, the report found. The Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful rivers in the countryand a popular recreation destination. Washington, D.C. A new report finds that Virginias efforts to restore the health of the scenic Shenandoah River are failing because of toothless and absent cleanup plans, a lack of regulations on the livestock industry, and inadequate monitoring. But the public has the right to know when that water isnt safe to enjoy, said Eric Schaeffer, executive director of the Environmental Integrity Project. & Waterkeepers Chesapeake. The Environmental Integrity Project is a 19-year-old nonprofit organization, based in Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas, dedicated to enforcing environmental laws and strengthening policy to protect public health and the environment. It's just dangerous," said Herschel Finch, a fisherman in Front Royal. The Commonwealth should also issue rules to require all farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers. "For decades, DuPont has managed to dodge responsibility for dumping mercury into these waters. The slimy mats are patchy to widespread along that stretch of river, the agency said. The warning signs could include a website or hotline that people could use to get the most recent bacteria monitoring information. 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. Thanks for signing up. We hope this lawsuit will change that, said Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper. * Spam or comments that do not pertain to the posted article Check out these 7 benefits trees have for cities in the Potomac River region! Mark Frondorf, the Shenandoah Riverkeeper, said: Virginia should not implement a two-tiered system that protects saltwater beach goers at the expense of folks living, working and recreating in the Shenandoah watershed. Using salt can keep our roads safe, but it has dangerous consequences for the Potomac River. DuPont plans to remediate and restore the riverbanks starting in Constitution Park down in Waynesboro, Virginia. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. Posted on April 23, 2008. This is not a day for ribbon cutting and balloons; this is a day a long-time in coming. 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. Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 It's great for wildlife, too. So far, the best way to improve water quality downstream from farms is to persuade farmers to adopt Best Management Practices (BMPs) on a voluntary basis. 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. In this case, Virginia would be required to develop limits on the total amount of nitrogen and phosphorus being discharged into the Shenandoah that are protective enough to prevent algae blooms and improve water quality. Current Shenandoah Riverkeeper actions. Network Headquarters DuPont's textile operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River from 1929 to 1950. visit EIPs web page on water quality in the Valley. 7 benefits of urban trees for communities, clean water, and more! The state should tighten up its recently revised water quality standards for bacteria by creating a swimming beach warning standard for freshwater areas and by issuing health advisories on websites and social media and raising no swimming signs to warn people in these areas contaminated by fecal pathogens, including in the Shenandoah Valley. Media contacts: Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project (443) 510-2574 or [email protected], Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, [email protected] or (571) 969-0746, The James River is such an historic and iconic waterway, it is great news that this settlement agreement will help reduce sewage overflows that, About 12 hours ago from Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter, EPA has agreed to strengthen standards for the nations largest industrial source of phosphorus pollutionand second-largest industrial source of, About 13 hours ago from Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter, James Beauchamp, president of the Midland-Odessa Transportation Alliance, suggests that spikes in Permian Basin methane might be coming, About 2 days ago from Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter, Solar, wind, geothermal, battery and other alternative-energy businesses are adding workers from fossil fuel companies, where employment has fallen., Record winter warmth across much of the eastern US has caused spring-like conditions to arrive earlier than ever previously recorded in several, About 3 days ago from Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter, 1000 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 1100 "Blooms in general are always exacerbated by nutrients," said Joe Wood, a senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Virginia office. POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 Potomac 336.809. . Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. The Southern Environmental Law Center will be assisting in the case. Shenandoah Riverkeeper uses information from monitoring and community activity and takes actions to create positive change. A recent report found that 90 percent of the water quality monitoring stations along the Shenandoah River and its tributaries detected fecal bacteria (E. coli) at levels unsafe for human contact between 2014-2016. Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. In the absence of a mechanism for conducting frequent seasonal bacteria monitoring at freshwater beaches, VDH lacks the data necessary to make advisory decisions for these waters, Smigo wrote in an email. Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star BERRYVILLE. Learn more about listing the Shenandoah as impaired, Learn more about Shenandoah Algae Elimination Campaign, Community Science Water Quality Monitoring Program, Shenandoah Riverkeeper on WZRV 95.3 The River. Its springtime, so lets do a bad agriculture story.. VDEQ intends to complete the bacteria pilot study in 2021 and will share the results with the public., VDEQ in October 2019 also modified the standard that the state uses to determine if waterways are impaired for recreation, a determination that triggers requirements for long-term clean-up plans under the federal Clean Water Act. You can reach him at [email protected]. According to water quality monitoring data from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, 72 percent (or 18 of 25) of monitoring sites along the Shenandoah Valley and its tributaries had levels of E. coli bacteria last year above EPAs recommendations for swimming. Learn about the threat of rising salt levels in the Potomac and its tributaries, and alternatives to traditional salt to keep both our roads and freshwater safe. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. 10/13/2020 Whenever it rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills into the Potomac River. 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. 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. PRKNs EIN # is 54-1982624. Our Mission Our mission is to protect the public's right to clean water in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and their tributaries. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. An outdated sewer system is to blame. Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project, (443) 510-2574 or [email protected] Shenandoah River The famed Shenandoah River is the major waterway and drainage system of the Shenandoah Valley. Until Virginias waters are cleaned up, Schaeffer said, the Commonwealth should raise no swimming advisory signs in parts of the Shenandoah that are often used for swimming and tubing but that have unsafe levels of fecal bacteria. Pcfawc.com Pcfawc.com ? There are 18 local Waterkeepers in the Chesapeake Bay region waiting for your reports. The Clean Water Act and other environmental laws allow residents to improve their local rivers and streams through citizen suits. On behalf of Potomac Riverkeeper Network members and the residents throughout the watershed, Shenandoah Riverkeeper and its attorneys routinely monitor known polluters. Site Designed by DC Web Designers, a Washington DC web design company, Advocates Guide For Challenging LNG Projects. Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia's Blueridge Mountains. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy 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. For several years, Shenandoah Riverkeeper has worked with research partners at the USGS and other agencies on further understanding the health effects of endocrine disruptors in rivers, vigilantly monitoring the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers for further fish kills, and are building community awareness. The main route of human exposure is through eating contaminated fish. On October 21, 2019, Virginia changed its standards for the amount of bacteria that is acceptable for water-contact recreation, such as the swimming, tubing, and kayaking that are popular in the summer in the Shenandoah Valley. A corrected version of the story is below: Report: Cows, chickens taint Shenandoah River with E. coli, The bucolic Shenandoah River is sending some not-so-lovely material downstream, according to a new report that finds Virginia is failing to adequately manage waste from millions of chickens and cows. Guest Article by Jeff "Yakfish" Little. Austin, TX 78701. Jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based in Maryland. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork runs about 150 miles. There are 80,000 chemicals in the US marketplace. Hayden said no one at the agency had reviewed the report yet, so he couldnt comment on the specifics. Source: Data Store Saved Search 699 (results presented are a subset). For wildlife, too dumping mercury into these waters Act and other Environmental laws allow residents to improve their rivers! X27 ; s Blueridge Mountains agency had reviewed the report found and progress reports Yakfish & quot ; &. 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