The Shenandoah Valley is a place of incomparable beauty and cultural value, but its continued health is at risk, says the report, which suggests the states manure management system isnt adequately protecting human health or water quality and is undermining Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts. All across our region animals once in decline are making a comeback. Determine the natural range of variability in water chemistry (including bacterial composition). For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. 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. 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. 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. The lawsuit, filed by Shenandoah Riverkeeper, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, the Warren County Chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America, and the Potomac River Smallmouth Club, alleges that the EPA has failed to protect the river, which suffers from excessive algae blooms and high levels of pollution. But many farms still lack livestock fencing. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Each of these rivers eventually flows into the Chesapeake Bay. Hear from a lawn care professional on how to harness natures power and take steps to ensure your lawn, big or small, is river friendly! 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. 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. 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." 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. 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. (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 Environmental Integrity Project analyzed hundreds of state records for the report released Wednesday. PRKNs EIN # is 54-1982624. He founded the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Integrity Project, which advocates for effective enforcement of environmental laws. DuPont's textile operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River from 1929 to 1950. 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. Paddling on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in the George Washington National Forest. Hayden said no one at the agency had reviewed the report yet, so he couldnt comment on the specifics. But she said the state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional funding and an expanded freshwater testing program. Agricultural runoff in the Shenandoah Valley are causing the algae outbreaks. Thanks for signing up. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a "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 . DuPont stopped leaking mercury in 1950. The company, Electron Hydro LLC, also will pay $1 million that mostly . Document the status of and long-term trends in water flow. 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 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. A potentially harmful chemical has been found in drinking water systems that serve about 7.5 million California residents, according to a report by a nonprofit environmental organization. Waste-water treatment, residential runoff and wildlife also impact water quality, he said. 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. Its springtime, so lets do a bad agriculture story.. 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. Virginias monitoring of water quality is inadequate. Their stories of recovery are nothing short of inspiring. Many farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops. Shenandoah Riverkeeper uses information from monitoring and community activity and takes actions to create positive change. 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. 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. Fish consumption advisories have been in place on the South River and South Fork Shenandoah River since the mid-1970s. Algae bloom on the Shenandoah River. The Commonwealth should also issue rules to require all farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers. E. coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River. 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. 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. This landscape and the park's many different . Last year, health officials placed 52 miles of its length under advisory from early August to mid-September after discovering cyanobacteria in the water. The cleanup plans (also called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs) that do exist lack enforcement and funding mechanisms. 10/13/2020 Whenever it rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills into the Potomac River. Due to the protection of the surrounding forests, the water in these streams is generally of high quality and low in sediment load. Shenandoah Riverkeeper, represented by Earthjustice, filed a notice of intent to sue the EPA for its failure to act in the face of this threat. Sampling locations often change from year to year. The alert applies to about 11 miles of the rivers North Fork, extending from just above Strasburg at VA Route 644 to just below the town at Route 611. Virginia did not follow that recommendation, and instead eliminated its state freshwater beach action value.. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 550,000 members nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The report focuses on four counties in the bucolic Shenandoah Valley watershed that are also home to a large-scale farming industry. But its threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrientsand the algae they producefrom entering the river. Network Headquarters POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 Potomac 336.809. . 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. 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. * Misrepresentation of your identity or affiliation The agreement comes in response to a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year. * Insults, verbal attacks or degrading statements 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. EIP Study Demands Stronger Regulation of Livestock Pollution and Health Advisories for Waterways Contaminated with Bacteria. Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. Those behind the report, however, have focused their criticism on the state. Discover 11 fun facts about the mysterious, magical powers of trees and how we can help support them! E. coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River. The river is a popular recreation spot, and the excessive pollution levels pose a threat to local residents, wildlife, and underwater vegetation. 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. 2023 Environmental Integrity Project. But there's one part of the country that's bucking the trend. It is ideal for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and observing nature. Shenandoah features waterfalls, quiet woods, wildflower fields, rocky hiking trails, and so much more. 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. 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. It's great for wildlife, too. The report by the Environmental Integrity Project, "Water Pollution from Livestock in the Shenandoah Valley," relies on state records to document that more than 90 percent of the water quality monitoring stations where the state regularly samples the Shenandoah River and its tributaries detected fecal bacteria (E. coli) at levels unsafe for . Periodically, we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the field. We stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. Local groups challenge EPAs approval of Virginias decision to not list the Shenandoah as impaired, despite excessive algae blooms and nutrient pollution. The Southern Environmental Law Center will be assisting in the case. And so Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, has launched the Respect the Shenandoah Campaign. 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. 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. Detect water quality measures that exceed threshold values and determine their compliance with state and federal water quality standards. 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. 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. In December 2013, EPA compounded Virginias inaction by failing to either approve or disapprove of Virginias decision not to list the Shenandoah as impaired, in violation of an explicit statutory duty to take action. 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. That advisory continues today. 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. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation and James River Association, represented by in . 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. It can be fatal to dogs and other animals. Mark also served onthe Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Fly Fishers. Mercury pollution is known to cause severe physiological, behavioral, and reproductive disorders and is particularly harmful to developing fetuses. 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. All of our protocols are peer reviewed. 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. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork runs about 150 miles. They stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. For example, EIP examined 11 watershed cleanup implementation plans in the Shenandoah Valley, and found that the state was not following its the water quality monitoring requirements in 10 of them. Reports will go to your local Waterkeeper. 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. (Alan Lehman/Shenandoah Riverkeeper). 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. 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 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. We hope this lawsuit will change that," said Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper. Potomac 336.809.6041. Learn More Our Rivers 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. Its a matter of basic fairness.. 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. The members of our local chapter of the Izaak Walton League of America stand shoulder to shoulder with our local Riverkeepers and others to ensure this river is restored, and remains the national treasure we know it to be.. Fax: (202) 296-8822, 1206 San Antonio Street The main route of human exposure is through eating contaminated fish. Prevent cattle from using the river as a restroom by fencing cattle away from rivers and streams, Stop feeding of cattle on the banks of rivers and streams, Creating buffers to catch rainwater that carries animal waste, dirt, fertilizers and pesticides into the river during rain storms, Clean Water Act 50th Anniversary Campaign, South West & Rhode Riverkeeper Elle Bassett. 3070 M St, NW Resource briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results. Lives are lost every year from this pollution, and our economy is forced to bear the burden of . 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. 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. 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. That algae buildup can then get in the way of the fishing and paddling industries. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 If they do not, they begin legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the Clean Water Act. 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. Four local environmental groups are suing the EPA over pollution levels in Virginias Shenandoah River, a major tributary to the Potomac. The Virginia Department of Health issued an alert Aug. 5 warning the public to avoid contact with the potentially toxic algae. In the Shenandoah River basin, drought conditions this summer set the stage for a bloom that began to grow in July. 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. Over 20 years ago, DuPont and its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear on its own. Some of problems are old and ongoing, but others are new. 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. . Mercury is a neurotoxin and it is not to be trifled with. keep you informed with the latest alerts and progress reports. The Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful rivers in the countryand a popular recreation destination. 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 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. When it comes to E. coli, Virginia should do a better job of issuing public advisories about the elevated levels, the report advises. There was a problem saving your notification. 2023, Potomac Conservancy, Silver Spring, MD. Today's announcement marks that notice. 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. 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. & Waterkeepers Chesapeake. However, those numbers could soon fall not because the waters are any cleaner, but because Virginia recently revised its water quality standards to tolerate higher concentrations of fecal bacteria, according to EIPs report. Cement manufacturers are dumping their pollution into Virginian communities with impunity. Washington DC 20007, POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE Virginian communities with impunity company, Electron Hydro LLC, also will pay $ 1 that... 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