Some fish in the two rivers currently have mercury levels more than eight times the level at which the state issues health advisories. The organizations that filed the lawsuit want the state to list the river as impaired, which would require Virginia to impose pollution limits and work to improve the water quality. You can reach him at jcox@bayjournal.com. The Environmental Integrity Project and Shenandoah Riverkeeper released a report in 2019 that used aerial photography to document that only about 20 percent of livestock farms in Virginias biggest agricultural counties, Rockingham and Augusta counties in the Shenandoah Valley, had fenced their cattle out of streams and rivers. Each of these rivers eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay. 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. EIP Study Demands Stronger Regulation of Livestock Pollution and Health Advisories for Waterways Contaminated with Bacteria. 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. 5 *completely legal* ways to pollute the Potomac, 6 local wetlands to quench your wanderlust. It could be your lawn. 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 . (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. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. 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. Please use language that is accurate and respectful. Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the public's right to clean water in our rivers and streams. 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. The agreement comes in response to a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year. Omission from the list means delay in addressing a serious and growing problem. Mercury is a neurotoxin and it is not to be trifled with. There are 18 local Waterkeepers in the Chesapeake Bay region waiting for your reports. Periodically, we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the field. 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. 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 The study, conducted by the Environmental Integrity Project, says the pollution is because. For many folks, the Shenandoah River is their only option to swim in the summer months.. That means the health of the people in the Shenandoah Valley is at risk, and a Virginia treasure -- part of our children's heritage -- is being diminished," said Michael Town, director of the Sierra Club's Virginia Chapter. But in the past 15 years or so, he began to see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth. Source: Data Store Saved Search 699 (results presented are a subset). Potomac Riverkeeper Network is the home for three Riverkeepers: Potomac, Shenandoah and Upper Potomac. The health department didnt respond to requests for comment about the states policies. At any given time, the three Riverkeepers are working on roughly two dozen active enforcement and advocacy matters, including commenting on pollution permits when they are up for renewal, pushing government regulators to recognize major pollution problems and act on them, and filing lawsuits against polluters and government agencies that are allowing pollution to continue unchecked. People might be upset by warning signs, but the signs would increase public pressure on state lawmakers to invest the funds and effort needed to reduce pollution for example, by requiring farmers to fence their herds of cattle out of the Shenandoah River, said Schaeffer, former Director of Civil Enforcement at EPA. member of Waterkeepers Alliance Rappahannock River Basin, Roanoke and Yadkin River Basin, Shenandoah River Basin, . Furthermore, the states manure control system allows manure containing far more phosphorous to be applied than the crops need, according to the report. Learn More Our Rivers Its website can be found at www.sierraclub.org. In the event that discussions break down, or improvements stall, the program will use local regulations where they exist that may compel farmers to make changes. Fish consumption advisories have been in place on the South River and South Fork Shenandoah River since the mid-1970s. The department continues to conduct water column tests to determine if the bacteria cells are present in higher concentrations. That type of blue-green algae can release toxins that, when touched or swallowed, can lead to rashes and gastrointestinal illness. Once your report is submitted it will be sent to your local Waterkeeper and to a live map available on the Water Reporter Website. 3070 M St, NW 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. member of Waterkeepers Alliance Its springtime, so lets do a bad agriculture story.. Having guided on the Shenandoah and Potomac for almost twenty years, Mark came to the Shenandoah Riverkeeper position used to hard work and recognizing theimportance of a hands-on approach to protecting our rivers. The Virginia Department of Health issued an alert Aug. 5 warning the public to avoid contact with the potentially toxic algae. Every year they host RiverPalooza, a series of paddling events. The. 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. But she said the state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional funding and an expanded freshwater testing program. Herschel Finch, a fisher, kayaker and the conservation chairman of the Potomac River Smallmouth Club, said when he moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 1977, the fishing was fantastic. Proposed standards are due before the end of 2023. 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. The . Women who are pregnant or may become pregnant, nursing mothers, and young children should not eat fish from these waters. Want to have a yard that works for clean water not against it? They offer links to cost share programs and other support for farmers who are willing to implement best management practices. But its threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrientsand the algae they producefrom entering the river. Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution. Interactive map of the South River Science Team showing the fish consumption advisories: http://southriverscienceteam.org/map/, Purpose and roles of the SRST: http://southriverscienceteam.org/what-is-srst/, SRST Mercury Fact Sheet: http://southriverscienceteam.org/news/fact-sheets/SR_No2.pdf, SRST newsletter going into great detail as to how they are going to perform the remediation: http://southriverscienceteam.org/news/newsletters/2016/UPDATE_2016_First%20Half_final.pdf, Potomac Riverkeeper 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. The . The evidence of pollution observed during monitoring includes polluted runoff from construction sites and farm land, fish kills and fish with lesions, algae blooms, illicit discharges from pipes and many other signs of compromised water quality. Since mid-June, the North Fork of the Shenandoah already a shallow waterway compared with others of its size was below its 96-year average depth, according to a river gauge at Strasburg. 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. 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.. 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. Robinson River flowing through Whiteoak Canyon in Shenandoah National Park. 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. Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, (571) 969-0746) or mark@shenandoahriverkeeper.org, 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 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. Lives are lost every year from this pollution, and our economy is forced to bear the burden of . 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. The cleanup plans (also called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs) that do exist lack enforcement and funding mechanisms. The North Fork is no stranger to algae. Other states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, still use this freshwater beach action value.. When it rains, that waste can run into the river and cause trouble, because the levels aren't only unsafe for fish, but also for humans. Contact Evan Childress, Shenandoah NP Supervisory Fish Biologist, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Mid-Atlantic Inventory & Monitoring Network. They stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. Schaeffer was formerly the director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys office of civil enforcement. "The Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful rivers in the countryand a popular recreation destination. 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. Cement manufacturers are dumping their pollution into Virginian communities with impunity. 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. * Misrepresentation of your identity or affiliation Most of that is spread on surrounding farmland, the report found. ADVERTISEMENT 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 slimy mats are patchy to widespread along that stretch of river, the agency said. 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. Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the publics right to clean water in our rivers and streams. Over 20 years ago, DuPont and its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear on its own. These monitoring reports are more in-depth than resource briefs and include data analysis and a discussion of our findings. When the fish arent there, fishermen stay away too, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down. 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. 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. Virginias monitoring of water quality is inadequate. Fax: (202) 296-8822, 1206 San Antonio Street No fish other than trout should be eaten from the South River. Back in 2018, Smigo said her agency asked the Virginia General Assembly for about $200,000 in additional state funding to start a freshwater swimming area safety program, including by conducting more sampling and raising bacteria warning signs for swimmers on waterways that are impaired for bacteria. Paddling on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in the George Washington National Forest. Monitoring Program Think about it. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. Washington DC 20007, POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE 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. Frondorf, the Shenandoah Riverkeeper, said it is not fair that the state has a swimming advisory standard and monitoring program for Ocean beaches, like in Virginia Beach, but not in freshwater areas like the Shenandoah River. Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution. 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. Financial statements can be provided upon request. The streams are formed from numerous springs, some of which are located near the ridge tops. & Waterkeepers Chesapeake. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 The report focuses on four counties in the bucolic Shenandoah Valley watershed that are also home to a large-scale farming industry. Virginia should significantly expand its water quality monitoring program statewide, especially in freshwater areas, so that the nearly 80 percent of waterway miles that lack enough data can be evaluated for impairment decisions and cleanup plans. Stocked trout have been tested and are safe to eat. He said that the agency is trying to sample fewer sites, but targeted in areas where people actually get wet during recreation. 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. The main route of human exposure is through eating contaminated fish. Network Headquarters * Incorrect, fraudulent or misleading content Bill Hayden, a spokesman for the Department of Environmental Quality, said the state health department is responsible for deciding when and where to notify the public about water quality. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy Where does that leave us now? But now we understand how paving over wetlands means destroying incalculable ecological services - and some of the Potomac River regions most magical travel destinations. 2023, Potomac Conservancy, Silver Spring, MD. Site Designed by DC Web Designers, a Washington DC web design company, Advocates Guide For Challenging LNG Projects. Small farms, when viewed as one, represent a large portion of the agricultural sector in the Shenandoah Valley and other parts of the Potomac River watershed. . The state should take action to implement the cleanup plans it creates, so that TMDLs are more meaningful. 7 local animals making a comeback thanks to clean water, 7 tree-mendous facts: How trees support the Potomac River, us, and each other, Study finds the Potomac is getting saltier, threatening drinking water and wildlife. Document the status of and long-term trends in water flow. Last year unsafe levels of E.coli bacteria caused the cancellation of the Nations Triathlon swim portion. Virginia did not follow that recommendation, and instead eliminated its state freshwater beach action value.. An outdated sewer system is to blame. 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.) Trees do so much for our climate and clean water, but what do they do for our health? * Insults, verbal attacks or degrading statements update email soon. 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. And so Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, has launched the Respect the Shenandoah Campaign. Hayden said no one at the agency had reviewed the report yet, so he couldnt comment on the specifics. NPS / Neal Lewis Importance and Issues 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. Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter. Virginia needs to start notifying the public that the Shenandoah Valleys waterways are unsafe for swimming and tubing or, better yet, the state should solve this manure overload problem, said Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project and former Director of Civil Enforcement at EPA. 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