The department continues to conduct water column tests to determine if the bacteria cells are present in higher concentrations. 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. E. coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River. Those behind the report, however, have focused their criticism on the state. 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. follow these guidelines. 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. 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. On this episode of fishing the DMV we talk to Mark Frondorf. The streams are formed from numerous springs, some of which are located near the ridge tops. Document the status of and long-term trends in water flow. The proposed construction of the Atlantic Coast Pipeline would impact the headwaters of the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. In addition to E. coli, which can sicken the swimmers, fishermen and tubers who flock to the river, the report also found elevated levels of phosphorous, which contributes to the growth of algae blooms and low-oxygen dead zones.. 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. If they do not, they begin legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the Clean Water Act. An all-too-familiar scourge has returned to the Shenandoah Rivers waters this summer: thick, green mats of algae. 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. 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. But the state provides no such notice when the Shenandoah Valley and other rivers and streams are contaminated, even when E. coli levels are more than 100 times the recreational limit, it says. These Combined Sewer Overflows release pollutants like fecal coliform bacteria and e. coli into the waterway that can sicken animals, fish, and humans, and deplete oxygen levels causing harmful algal blooms. 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. 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. Many small farms are not regulated and difficult for government agencies to monitor. * Explicit or vulgar language Thanks for signing up. Spanning over 200,000 acres of land, the park is known for its beautiful views, natural landscape, and diverse wildlife. What's plaguing the Potomac River? Virginia did not follow that recommendation, and instead eliminated its state freshwater beach action value.. 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. 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. And so Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, has launched the Respect the Shenandoah Campaign. Austin, TX 78701. But unlike in DC where sewage overflows are to blame, its agricultural runoff thats harming the Shenandoah. 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. They offer links to cost share programs and other support for farmers who are willing to implement best management practices. But in the past 15 years or so, he began to see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth. 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. 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. Water sampling data from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, for sites that were sampled at least twice in the last six years. Source: Data Store Saved Search 686 (results presented are a subset). 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. 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. Today's announcement marks that notice. "Blooms in general are always exacerbated by nutrients," said Joe Wood, a senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Virginia office. 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. For Immediate Release. Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter. Each of these rivers eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay. State Disclosures, Nancy Marks, NRDC, 212-727-4414; Michael Town, Sierra Club, 804-225-9113; 804-319-6083. There are 80,000 chemicals in the US marketplace. Lives are lost every year from this pollution, and our economy is forced to bear the burden of . 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. The cleanup plans (also called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs) that do exist lack enforcement and funding mechanisms. The Commonwealth should also issue rules to require all farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers. Where does that leave us now? Document the status of and trends in water quality as influenced by point source and non-point source pollution (including atmospheric deposition). They stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. The state should either require the livestock industry --or use public funds -- to collect the excess manure that crops cant use and ship it out of the valley, to a region that needs it., The report also found high levels of phosphorous, which feeds algae and can kill fish. You'll receive your first NRDC action alert and And many of the plans that have been in place for years have failed because they lack any enforcement or funding mechanisms and because monitoring has been inadequate. The study, conducted by the Environmental Integrity Project, says the pollution is because of animal waste runoff. 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. 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. 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. Unfortunately, much of it is making its way into our rivers, causing serious threats to wildlife and public health, a new study found. While we acknowledge DuPonts commitment to the community, and agreeing to stabilize the riverbank by employing a impermeable barrier and covering that with additional clay, soil and native plants, it has been 66 years thats right 66 years since the active leaking stopped. All across our region animals once in decline are making a comeback. The report focuses on four counties in the bucolic Shenandoah Valley watershed that are also home to a large-scale farming industry. (Virginia.org) By Mark Frondorf For years, herds of cattle wading and defecating in our rivers caused pollution and rendered the waters disgusting and, in some cases, dangerous for contact by those seeking recreation and drinking water. The low buffering capacity of a large percentage of soils in the park provides limited protection from acid deposition. 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. DuPont plans to remediate and restore the riverbanks starting in Constitution Park down in Waynesboro, Virginia. Proposed standards are due before the end of 2023. The Water Reporter app is not only for the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. For more data and information on bacteria testing in the Shenandoah Valley, visit EIPs web page on water quality in the Valley. Waste-water treatment, residential runoff and wildlife also impact water quality, he said. Many farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops. Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project, (443) 510-2574 or [email protected] 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. 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. Algae bloom on the Shenandoah River. Want to have a yard that works for clean water not against it? Wilmer Stoneman, director of commodities and marketing for the Farm Bureau Federation, said farmers face stringent regulations and are doing more than ever to improve conservation overall. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork runs about 150 miles. They include a descriptive narrative of what we monitor and why, our field methods, how we analyze and manage our data, and more. It's great for wildlife, too. Shenandoah Riverkeeper tracks, comments on and challenges Clean Water Act permits for stormwater from construction sites, industrial sites, and municipal stormwater systems. That advisory continues today. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has also assessed a very low percentage of waters, leaving residents guessing whether it is safe to swim and recreate in the rivers and streams.. Unfortunately, to date, such efforts have not been successful.. Federal, state, and local governments are mandated to provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water. 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. As a last resort, we will take a polluter to court to stop the pollution. Proposed standards are due before the end of 2023. 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. 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. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 550,000 members nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. When it comes to E. coli, Virginia should do a better job of issuing public advisories about the elevated levels, the report advises. Using state records, it was found that more than 90 percent of the water quality monitoring stations where the state regularly samples the Shenandoah River found fecal bacteria (also known as E. coli) at levels unsafe for human contact. They notify government oversight agencies, contact the polluter, and if needed, take legal action if other actions do not result in improvements. Schaeffer was formerly the director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys office of civil enforcement. 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. 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. Collecting and Managing Surplus Manure: Who Should Pay? 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. According to a new study , much of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli. SEATTLE (AP) A company that operates a century-old hydroelectric dam near Mount Rainier National Park and its chief operating officer each pleaded guilty to a single criminal count Monday in connection with a spill of synthetic field turf and the tiny rubber particles used to make it into the Puyallup River in 2020.. Additional bacteria sampling data is available from Friends of the Shenandoah River. Contact Evan Childress, Shenandoah NP Supervisory Fish Biologist, Download the official NPS app before your next visit, Mid-Atlantic Inventory & Monitoring Network. Fish kills and algal outbreaks, associated with manure from unfenced herds of cattle and large poultry operations, make the river unhealthy and unpleasant for those hoping to enjoy it. 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. For many folks, the Shenandoah River is their only option to swim in the summer months.. The health department didnt respond to requests for comment about the states policies. Have you heard about how tree-mendous urban trees are? Jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based in Maryland. 2023 Environmental Integrity Project. The team has no cleanup plans. 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. 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. 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. "I am always very careful about getting in this water. And each other? Amounts listed may RICHMOND, Va. (AP) 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. Virginias monitoring of water quality is inadequate. The solution is not to lower the standards so that the public is misled into thinking the river is safe for contact, but rather to enhance the standards and then act to resolve the impairment., MONITORING FOR E. COLI BACTERIA IN SHENANDOAH WATERWAYS, Number of Sites Where Bacteria Exceeded EPAs Swimming Advisory Value, Percent of Sites Over EPA Swimming Advisory Value. 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