shenandoah river pollution 21 Nov shenandoah river pollution

Learn how our community allows pollution into our Nation's River the drinking water source for you and nearly 6 million people and what you can do about it. 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.). Algae bloom on the Shenandoah River. Virginia should list the Shenandoah river segments that have too much algae as officially "impaired" under the federal Clean Water Act so that the state can start taking more meaningful steps to curb pollution and accelerate its cleanup. The Southern Environmental Law Center will be assisting in the case. Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Despite the years of growing evidence of impairment, EPA failed to take the action required by the Clean Water Act to limit the pollution causing these algae blooms,said Jennifer Chavez, the Earthjustice attorney representing the river groups. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. Last year, health officials placed 52 miles of its length under advisory from early August to mid-September after discovering cyanobacteria in the water. Pcfawc.com Pcfawc.com ? Federal, state, and local governments are mandated to provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water. The Orange County Water District estimated earlier this year that treatment could cost the average home in a local district with PFAS $4 to $5 more monthly but could reach as high as $20 per . Amounts listed may 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. Site Designed by DC Web Designers, a Washington DC web design company, Advocates Guide For Challenging LNG Projects. He said that the agency is trying to sample fewer sites, but targeted in areas where people actually get wet during recreation. Guest Article by Jeff "Yakfish" Little. 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. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 The Shenandoah Riverkeeper Swim Guide lists over 70 access points on the three major reaches of the Shenandoah River. RICHMOND, Virginia (October 20, 2003) -- Two environmental groups will sue DuPont to force a cleanup of mercury from the South River and the South Fork of the Shenandoah River because of health risks for people who eat fish from those waters. It can be fatal to dogs and other animals. Washington DC 20007, POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE Network Headquarters Detect water quality measures that exceed threshold values and determine their compliance with state and federal water quality standards. Its springtime, so lets do a bad agriculture story.. You can reach him at jcox@bayjournal.com. 2023 Waterkeepers Chesapeake. But now we understand how paving over wetlands means destroying incalculable ecological services - and some of the Potomac River regions most magical travel destinations. Due to the interest and concerns expressed by public and nonprofit groups for improving the information available on inland beach water quality, VDH has made several attempts to secure funding as recently as 2018, for the 2019-2020 state fiscal budget year. According to a new study , much of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli. That advisory continues today. When it comes to E. coli, Virginia should do a better job of issuing public advisories about the elevated levels, the report advises. 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. As a last resort, we will take a polluter to court to stop the pollution. If they do not, they begin legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the Clean Water Act. He said theres always room for improvement in the states nutrient management program, but Virginia has seen an overall improvement in bacterial contamination in the Shenandoah River basin. Last month, the DuPont Company announced its plan to stop mercury from contaminating the South River, which is one of the leading tributaries for the South Fork of the Shenandoah. Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star BERRYVILLE. 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. Rather than take what the plaintiffs see as effective enforcement action to make DuPont clean up, state and federal regulators have joined DuPont in a collaborative South River Science Team to examine various aspects of the mercury contamination as part of a 100-year monitoring plan. Source: Data Store Saved Search 699 (results presented are a subset). They stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. The North Fork is no stranger to algae. EPA should have identified the Shenandoah River as impaired based on extensive data demonstrating that widespread algae blooms prevent the river from meeting Virginias water quality standards. Where does that leave us now? Many small farms are not regulated and difficult for government agencies to monitor. "In the Shenandoah River basin, animal manure is the major source of E. coli bacteria either from cattle wandering directly into rivers and streams or manure being spread onto crops and pastures as fertilizer, which runs off into waterways, according to a 2017 Environmental Integrity Project report, 'Water Pollution from Livestock in the . Local groups challenge EPAs approval of Virginias decision to not list the Shenandoah as impaired, despite excessive algae blooms and nutrient pollution. In the Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah Riverkeeper is going site by site to all the farms in the area, opening a dialogue with farmers about improving the practices that endanger the health and jobs of people living downstream. Its almost a five-hour drive for people living in the Shenandoah Valley to drive to a Virginia beach and they should not be treated like second-class citizens due to their lack of proximity to a saltwater beach, said Frondorf. The department continues to conduct water column tests to determine if the bacteria cells are present in higher concentrations. 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. 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. Our Mission Our mission is to protect the public's right to clean water in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and their tributaries. PRKNs EIN # is 54-1982624. Lives are lost every year from this pollution, and our economy is forced to bear the burden of . Shenandoah Riverkeeper tracks, comments on and challenges Clean Water Act permits for stormwater from construction sites, industrial sites, and municipal stormwater systems. That has not occurred according to the most recent data collected by the Commonwealth. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. 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. The Shenandoah Rive runs through Shenandoah, Page, Rockingham, and Augusta counties, which, combined, have about 159 million chickens, 16 million turkeys and 528,000 cows raised annually. The lawsuit asks the court to order EPA to disapprove Virginias list of impaired streams, to identify the Shenandoah River as impaired by algae-fueling pollutants, and to establish the pollution caps needed to bring the river back into attainment with state water quality standards. Many farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops. Experts say that they usually are a symptom of an ecosystem out of balance. By contrast, she said, EPA provides grants for state water quality testing along ocean beaches and in saltwater areas, like Virginia Beach, and to the state provides regular testing and raises swimming advisory signs in these saltwater areas. We hope this lawsuit will change that, said Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper. No fish other than trout should be eaten from the South River. We stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. For most of this country's history, wetlands were seen as an impediment to development. But its threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrientsand the algae they producefrom entering the river. 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. You can read through the full report and see what the Environmental Integrity Project recommends to solve these problems, Report: Shenandoah River polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli, Dog found dead under suspicious circumstances, SCSO says, ACSO looking for suspicious man in the Weyers Cave area, Pilot identified in fatal plane crash near Hillsville, Impacts the end of the COVID public health emergency will have, FDA advisers give green light for RSV vaccine approval; why this is important for older adults, Eastern Mennonite boys basketball defeats Walsingham 69-56, advances to VISAA DIII semifinals, Charlie Obaugh RV & Outdoor Student Athlete of the Week, Water Pollution from Livestock in the Shenandoah Valley.pdf. EPA has failed to carry out a non-discretionary duty to either approve or disapprove of Virginias list of waters deemed impaired under the Clean Water Act, which was published in 2012 without an acknowledgment of the Shenandoahs algae problems. Once your report is submitted it will be sent to your local Waterkeeper and to a live map available on the Water Reporter Website. What's plaguing the Potomac River? Comments may not include: It is ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and observing nature. 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. Total Wages: Total wages reported by the employer from Box 5 of the W-2, with some exceptions, and Elected Officials who received pay reported on IRS Form 1099. many people love the Shenandoah River, "Despite its popularity, the river is often unsafe for swimming. Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution. Check out these 7 benefits trees have for cities in the Potomac River region! The Virginia Department of Health issued an alert Aug. 5 warning the public to avoid contact with the potentially toxic algae. Protocols describe how we monitor. Discover 11 fun facts about the mysterious, magical powers of trees and how we can help support them! Washington, D.C. Almost three quarters of water quality monitoring sites in Virginias scenic Shenandoah Valley had levels of fecal bacteria last year that were so high that EPA would consider them unsafe for swimming. The report by the Environmental Integrity Project (EIP), Water Quality in the Shenandoah Valley: Virginias Cleanup Plans Fail to Solve Bacteria Problem, urges Virginia to take strong steps to protect people swimming in waterways contaminated with fecal bacteria, including by issuing health advisories and posting warning signs and by cracking down on manure runoff from livestock operations. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. If youre out and about and see debris flowing from a construction site, cows in your stream, or a pipe discharging questionable water, use the app to report it. Every year they host RiverPalooza, a series of paddling events. , much of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli. Financial statements can be provided upon request. Those behind the report, however, have focused their criticism on the state. There are 80,000 chemicals in the US marketplace. Inevitably, humans shaped the river back. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. Source: Data Store Saved Search 686 (results presented are a subset). Stocked trout have been tested and are safe to eat. You have permission to edit this article. Under federal and state clean water laws, impaired waterways (to use the term in the Clean Water Act for waters that are so polluted they cant be safely used for swimming, drinking, fishing, or other purposes) are supposed to have cleanup plans and implementation plans. Shenandoah Riverkeeper, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, the Warren County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, and the Potomac River Smallmouth Club filed the suit and are represented by Earthjustice. Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 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.. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. But 47 percent of the waterways impaired by bacteria in the Shenandoah Valley lack either cleanup or implementation plans. Document changes in stream channel characteristics at sampling sites. 2023 Environmental Integrity Project. . Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Margaret Smigo, Waterborne Hazards Program Coordinator for the Virginia Department of Health (VDH), said that her agency does not have funding or staff to conduct adequate testing in freshwater swimming areas of the state, like campgrounds along the Shenandoah River. Periodically, we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the field. The number of water monitoring sites in the Shenandoah Valley declined from an average of 70 per year from 2015 to 2018, to 30 per year in 2019 and 2020, with many of the excluded sites having the highest levels of bacteria. Washington DC 20007, POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE For more data and information on bacteria testing in the Shenandoah Valley, visit EIPs web page on water quality in the Valley. Find out how. Current Shenandoah Riverkeeper actions. 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. That manure can leak into groundwater or wash into surrounding streams when it rains, eventually making it to the Shenandoah, which joins the Potomac that empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Acid precipitation, a type of atmospheric deposition that is primarily linked to fossil fuel combustion, is lowering water pH in some extremely sensitive streams both chronically and episodically. They include a descriptive narrative of what we monitor and why, our field methods, how we analyze and manage our data, and more. The agreement comes in response to a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year. Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project, (443) 510-2574 or tpelton@environmentalintegrity.org The low buffering capacity of a large percentage of soils in the park provides limited protection from acid deposition. Determine the natural range of variability in water chemistry (including bacterial composition). 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. Virginia eliminated its state freshwater beach action value in October 2019 and changed its impairment value. 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. The proposed construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would impact the headwaters of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Most of that is spread on surrounding farmland, the report found. Agricultural runoff, including manure from the Valley's 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. They offer links to cost share programs and other support for farmers who are willing to implement best management practices. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. Potomac Riverkeeper Network undertakes a number of activities and projects that enhance the use and enjoyment of our rivers, with the ultimate goal of increasing public awareness of and participation in protection of the rivers. Cleaning up our local streams and creeks isn't just good for public health. Makes it easier to find and report pollution and to report the fun things you see and do on the river. 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. An outdated sewer system is to blame. Mark joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. 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. POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 Potomac 336.809. . As a result of high air pollution levels, atmospheric deposition is the greatest threat to protected mountain streams. The Riverkeeper programs also work on some policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access to the rivers. 2023, Potomac Conservancy, Silver Spring, MD. 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