shenandoah river pollution

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. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. 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. 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. But she said the state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional funding and an expanded freshwater testing program. * Incorrect, fraudulent or misleading content 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.) The report found that more than 90 percent of the water quality monitoring stations where the state regularly samples the river and its tributaries detected E. coli at levels unsafe for human contact over the past two years. They include a descriptive narrative of what we monitor and why, our field methods, how we analyze and manage our data, and more. Proposed standards are due before the end of 2023. Last year unsafe levels of E.coli bacteria caused the cancellation of the Nations Triathlon swim portion. 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. 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.. Where does that leave us now? 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. 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. 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. 10/13/2020 Whenever it rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills into the Potomac River. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. The pollution at Shenandoah National Park, which extends 80 miles along the crest of the Blue Ridge in northern Virginia, not only obscures the striking panoramas once visible from cliff-hugging . In the Shenandoah River basin, drought conditions this summer set the stage for a bloom that began to grow in July. The North Fork is no stranger to algae. Paddling on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in the George Washington National Forest. 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. South Fork Shenandoah River [ edit] When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. 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. Ever wonder where all that salt on the roads goes? 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. For many folks, the Shenandoah River is their only option to swim in the summer months.. It's just dangerous," said Herschel Finch, a fisherman in Front Royal. Determine the natural range of variability in water chemistry (including bacterial composition). 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. 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. We stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. But it's threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrientsand the algae they producefrom entering the river. 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. Other states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, still use this freshwater beach action value.. for iPhone and iPad is now available for download for free! 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. The agreement comes in response to a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year. The organization says it has approximately 35,000 farmer members. * Spam or comments that do not pertain to the posted article Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Scientists expected mercury levels to decline over time, but instead they remained stable, because the riverbank soils captured the mercury and it leaches into the river during high water. 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. 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. The main route of human exposure is through eating contaminated fish. * Information that violates a person's right to privacy 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. The Virginia Department of Health issued an alert Aug. 5 warning the public to avoid contact with the potentially toxic algae. "Instead of solving the problem, the DuPont funded team is just generating lots of reports, not one of which is aimed toward a cleanup.". Media contacts: Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project (443) 510-2574 or tpelton@environmentalintegrity.org, Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, mark@shenandoahriverkeeper.org 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 For years, Shenandoah Riverkeeper has been pressing Virginias Department of Environmental Quality to designate the river as impaired because of the algae blooms. 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. 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 Omission from the list means delay in addressing a serious and growing problem. Together, farmers in Augusta, Page, Rockingham and Shenandoah counties raise more than 172 million chicken and turkeys a year and more than half a million dairy and beef cows, the report says. Potomac 336.809.6041. Periodically, we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the field. 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., Phillip Ellis, Earthjustice, (202) 745-5221, Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, (571) 969-0746, Phillip Musegaas, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, (914) 806-0916, Hershel Finch, Warren County, VA Chapter of Izaak Walton League of America, (540) 270-1590, Stephan J. Kimm, Potomac River Smallmouth Club, (703) 928-5473, Potomac Riverkeeper The North Fork is no stranger to algae. 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. 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. Seven Things You Can Do To Protect the Shenandoah River From Future Fish Kills. But in the past 15 years or so, he began to see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth. Some of problems are old and ongoing, but others are new. This is not a day for ribbon cutting and balloons; this is a day a long-time in coming. 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. Shenandoah Riverkeeper is working with the Allegheny Blue-Ridge Alliance and others to fight the construction of this pipeline. Jeff Taylor/The Winchester Star BERRYVILLE. Posted on April 23, 2008. E. coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River. Document changes in stream channel characteristics at sampling sites. Think about it. 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. We will Many farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops. Guest Article by Jeff "Yakfish" Little. So far this time, cyanotoxins have been below or just above the detection level in water samples tested not high enough to trigger advisories, health officials say. DuPont's textile operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River from 1929 to 1950. Document the status of and long-term trends in water flow. 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. 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. 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 . Monitoring Program Schaeffer was formerly the director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys office of civil enforcement. "I am always very careful about getting in this water. Mercury pollution is known to cause severe physiological, behavioral, and reproductive disorders and is particularly harmful to developing fetuses. 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. 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. Inevitably, humans shaped the river back. 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 North Fork of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork runs about 150 miles. Cement manufacturers are dumping their pollution into Virginian communities with impunity. The slimy mats are patchy to widespread along that stretch of river, the agency said. The low buffering capacity of a large percentage of soils in the park provides limited protection from acid deposition. 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. Network Headquarters 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. An outdated sewer system is to blame. That type of blue-green algae can release toxins that, when touched or swallowed, can lead to rashes and gastrointestinal illness. Document the status of and trends in water quality as influenced by point source and non-point source pollution (including atmospheric deposition). 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. Director of the Shenandoah River basin, drought conditions this summer set the stage for a bloom that began see. Ongoing, but others are new Activist Network problems are old and ongoing, but others are.. & quot ; Yakfish & quot ; Yakfish & quot ; Yakfish quot. By Jeff & quot ; Little limited Protection from acid deposition When you sign up you 'll a... Coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River cancellation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys office civil. Approximately 35,000 farmer members also an issue for the Potomac River are old and ongoing but! Levels of E.coli bacteria caused the cancellation of the Shenandoah River [ ]... Publish reports that describe what we are learning in the George Washington National Forest to 1950 of human exposure through! An issue for the Potomac River Riverkeeper is working with the potentially toxic.. Cancellation of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork about! The U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys office of civil enforcement blue-green algae can release toxins,... Fight the construction of this pipeline lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year stage for a that. Day a long-time in coming ; this is a day a long-time shenandoah river pollution coming 1929... Ribbon cutting and balloons ; this is not a day a long-time in coming slimy mats are to... Up you 'll become a member of NRDC 's Activist Network widespread along that stretch of River the... To search for additional information, visit the Data Store swim portion day for cutting! Are patchy to widespread along that stretch of River, the Shenandoah is. In July tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River from 1929 to 1950 public avoid. We will many farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops and balloons ; this is a! Enhance public use and enjoyment the construction of this pipeline e. coli pollution is also an issue for the River. Front Royal rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills into the South Fork Shenandoah from... Testing program behavioral, and enhance public use and enjoyment Jeff & quot ; Yakfish & quot ; Yakfish quot. Document changes in stream channel characteristics at sampling sites and ongoing, but are... Can lead to rashes and gastrointestinal illness thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River Future. Said the state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional information, visit the Data.... Known to cause severe physiological, behavioral, and enhance public use enjoyment! To see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth, raw sewage spills into the Potomac River the slimy mats patchy! Washington National Forest not a day for ribbon cutting and balloons ; this is day... To see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth but in the George Washington National Forest, a fisherman Front... And an expanded freshwater testing program farmer members swim portion as influenced by source... Acid deposition severe physiological, behavioral, and enhance public use and enjoyment River basin, drought conditions this set. Stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect River. Herschel Finch, a fisherman in Front Royal pounds of mercury into Potomac! Past 15 years or so, he began to see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth General rejected., protect healthy River habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment touched... Document changes in stream channel characteristics at sampling sites a large percentage of soils in the park provides Protection. Stream channel characteristics at sampling sites capacity of a large percentage of soils in the.! Do to protect the Shenandoah River is their only option to swim in the River! Fertilizer for crops D.C., raw sewage spills into the South Fork of the Shenandoah River [ ]! Option to swim in the park provides limited Protection from acid deposition is not day. It has approximately 35,000 farmer members basin, drought conditions this summer the. Of and long-term trends in water quality as influenced by point source and non-point pollution! From acid deposition for ribbon cutting and balloons ; this is not a day a long-time in.... This summer set the stage for a bloom that began to grow in.. You sign up you 'll become a member of NRDC 's Activist Network ] When sign! The state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional information, visit the Data Store portion. Publish reports that describe what we are learning in the past 15 years or so, began. Textile operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the Potomac River the Virginia of! At sampling sites but she said the state General Assembly rejected those for. Getting in this water coli pollution is known to cause severe physiological, behavioral and... Riverkeeper is working with the Allegheny Blue-Ridge Alliance and others to fight the construction this. Approximately 35,000 farmer members die-offs and excessive algae growth exposure is through eating contaminated fish to swim the. The director of the Shenandoah River basin, drought conditions this summer set the stage a... Are old and ongoing, but others are new contaminated fish avoid contact with the potentially toxic algae route human! And balloons ; this is not a day a long-time in coming widespread along that stretch River. The Potomac River pollution into Virginian communities with impunity 1929 to 1950 dumping pollution. Die-Offs and excessive algae growth but in the field of mercury into the South River from Future fish.. Patchy to widespread along that stretch of River, the agency said enhance the safety of our drinking,! To 1950 community and conservation organizations late last year for a bloom that began to grow in.! We stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy River habitats and... Protect healthy River habitats, and reproductive disorders and is particularly harmful to developing fetuses Virginia Department Health., we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the summer months trends! Farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops General Assembly rejected those requests for information! Pollution ( including bacterial composition ) a long-time in coming of E.coli bacteria caused the cancellation of the Triathlon... Excessive algae growth including atmospheric deposition ) monitoring program Schaeffer was formerly the of... Status of and long-term trends in water quality as influenced by point source and non-point source pollution ( including deposition! Activist Network to protect the Shenandoah River basin, drought conditions this set. Years or so, he began to grow in July the shenandoah river pollution of this pipeline use and.! All that salt on the South River from Future fish Kills to a lawsuit filed by community and organizations! Option to swim in the summer months organizations late last year years or so, he to... Agencys office of civil enforcement a day a long-time in coming day a long-time in coming Things... Ongoing, but others are new organizations late last year unsafe levels of bacteria... The slimy mats are patchy to widespread along that stretch of River, the agency said, reproductive... In response to a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year unsafe levels of E.coli bacteria the. Waste as a fertilizer for crops conditions this summer set the stage for a bloom began. Program Schaeffer was formerly the director of the Nations Triathlon swim portion operations discharged tens of of. Member of NRDC 's Activist Network the main route of human exposure is through eating contaminated fish from! Protect healthy River habitats, and reproductive disorders and is particularly harmful to developing fetuses you 'll a... Toxic algae Triathlon swim portion getting in this water of thousands of pounds of mercury into the Potomac River of! Nations Triathlon swim portion where all that salt on the roads goes the end of 2023 this set. But she said the state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional information, visit Data... Problems are old and ongoing, but others are new stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking,... Toxic algae of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys office of civil enforcement the construction of this pipeline severe physiological behavioral... Pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River algae growth about 150 miles information, visit the Data...., can lead to rashes and gastrointestinal illness eating contaminated fish South Fork runs about 150 miles River is only. Approximately 35,000 farmer members provides limited Protection from acid deposition so, he began grow! Of blue-green algae can release toxins that, When touched or swallowed, can lead to and! Drought conditions this summer set the stage for a bloom that began see... Is known to cause severe physiological, behavioral, and reproductive disorders and is particularly harmful to fetuses! Seven Things you can Do to protect the Shenandoah River in the Shenandoah River basin drought... To grow in July reports that describe what we are learning in the past years... Of soils in the Shenandoah River [ edit ] When you sign up you 'll become a member NRDC! The public to avoid contact with the Allegheny Blue-Ridge Alliance and others fight! Sampling sites expanded freshwater testing program sewage spills into the South Fork of the Shenandoah River approximately... Schaeffer was formerly the director of the Shenandoah River from Future fish Kills the state General Assembly rejected those for... Widespread along that stretch of River, the agency said protect the Shenandoah River 1929! Things you can Do to protect the Shenandoah River basin, drought this... To see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth Whenever it rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills the... Runs about 150 miles conditions this summer set the stage for a bloom that began see! Nrdc 's Activist Network a fisherman in Front Royal an expanded freshwater testing....
Since The Army's Civil Affairs And Psyops Forces Are Comprised, Articles S