Some of problems are old and ongoing, but others are new. Experts say that they usually are a symptom of an ecosystem out of balance. The state issues public advisories warning beachgoers to stay out of the ocean when bacteria levels do not meet the recreational standard. Source: Data Store Saved Search 709. It's just dangerous," said Herschel Finch, a fisherman in Front Royal. 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. Federal, state, and local governments are mandated to provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water. All across our region animals once in decline are making a comeback. And so Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper, has launched the Respect the Shenandoah Campaign. 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. Determine the natural range of variability in water chemistry (including bacterial composition). Agricultural runoff in the Shenandoah Valley are causing the algae outbreaks. 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. An all-too-familiar scourge has returned to the Shenandoah Rivers waters this summer: thick, green mats of algae. DuPont stopped leaking mercury in 1950. Water sampling data from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, for sites that were sampled at least twice in the last six years. In addition, they work with university law clinics, nonprofit legal groups and corporate law firms that provide pro bono legal services and conduct compliance reviews of pollution permits. 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. Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution. We aim to provide a forum for fair and open dialogue. The state should take action to implement the cleanup plans it creates, so that TMDLs are more meaningful. its plants and animals, and the natural systems on which all life depends. * Misrepresentation of your identity or affiliation 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. 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. Comments may not include: Front Royal, VA Today, four local citizen groups filed a lawsuit filed a lawsuitagainst the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for the agencys repeated failure to address the Shenandoah Rivers increasing problem with algae blooms and pollution. The North Fork is no stranger to algae. It's great for wildlife, too. The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is responding by calling the report "an opinion piece.". * Spam or comments that do not pertain to the posted article Trees do so much for our climate and clean water, but what do they do for our health? 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. 10/13/2020 Whenever it rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills into the Potomac River. 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. Agricultural runoff, including manure from the Valleys 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. 2023 Environmental Integrity Project. 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. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. 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. 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. The slimy mats are patchy to widespread along that stretch of river, the agency said. That advisory continues today. Monitoring Program Today's announcement marks that notice. (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. Four local environmental groups are suing the EPA over pollution levels in Virginias Shenandoah River, a major tributary to the Potomac. Henrico County and environmental groups involved in a lawsuit over pollution from a local sewage treatment facility reached a settlement requiring the county to notify the public of overflows, ramp up system improvements and invest $1 million in environmental work. When the contamination was disclosed in 1977, the state was forced to declare a fish consumption health advisory for over 100 miles downriver of the plant. Snows certainly not been a stanger this winter! But 47 percent of the waterways impaired by bacteria in the Shenandoah Valley lack either cleanup or implementation plans. E. coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River. 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. Jeremy Cox is a Bay Journal staff writer based in Maryland. Unfortunately, to date, such efforts have not been successful.. The company, Electron Hydro LLC, also will pay $1 million that mostly . 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. In the Shenandoah River basin, drought conditions this summer set the stage for a bloom that began to grow in July. POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 Potomac 336.809. . Check out these 7 benefits trees have for cities in the Potomac River region! Recreational uses can continue in the river as long as people dont touch the blanket of scum. Additional bacteria sampling data is available from Friends of the Shenandoah River. 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. This is why Shenandoah Riverkeeper has filed its notice of intent to sue the EPA. 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. Financial statements can be provided upon request. Paddling on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in the George Washington National Forest. Lives are lost every year from this pollution, and our economy is forced to bear the burden of . There are 18 local Waterkeepers in the Chesapeake Bay region waiting for your reports. Austin, TX 78701. 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.). . Most of that is spread on surrounding farmland, the report found. 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. 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. Posted on April 23, 2008. 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. Collecting and Managing Surplus Manure: Who Should Pay? Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. 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. Stocked trout have been tested and are safe to eat. 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. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. 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. 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. (For specifics, see Appendix C). 2023, Potomac Conservancy, Silver Spring, MD. Pcfawc.com Pcfawc.com ? If they do not, they begin legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the Clean Water Act. Sampling locations often change from year to year. PRKNs EIN # is 54-1982624. Reports will go to your local Waterkeeper. 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. Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the publics right to clean water in our rivers and streams. 5 *completely legal* ways to pollute the Potomac, 6 local wetlands to quench your wanderlust. For more data and information on bacteria testing in the Shenandoah Valley, visit EIPs web page on water quality in the Valley. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 The cleanup deadlines for four of the implementation plans in the Valley have passed, but the waterways in three of these four remain impaired by fecal bacteria. Media contacts: Working with, , Potomac Riverkeeper Network developed a mobile app, which is a Bay-wide initiative, to gather critical data on the waterways you love! 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. Inevitably, humans shaped the river back. ADVERTISEMENT The team has no cleanup plans. The main route of human exposure is through eating contaminated fish. for iPhone and iPad is now available for download for free! But it's threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrientsand the algae they producefrom entering the river. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a & Waterkeepers Chesapeake. 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 According to a new study , much of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli. For Immediate Release. "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 . Virginias monitoring of water quality is inadequate. Potomac Riverkeeper Network is the home for three Riverkeepers: Potomac, Shenandoah and Upper Potomac. Potomac 336.809.6041. This is an opinion piece that tries to paint agriculture in a bad light, said Stoneman, who has been the federations point person on water quality and environmental issues for 22 years. Site Designed by DC Web Designers, a Washington DC web design company, Advocates Guide For Challenging LNG Projects, Water Quality in the Shenandoah Valley: Virginias Cleanup Plans Fail to Solve Bacteria Problem, Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter. The government only tests water for 1 out of every 400. They offer links to cost share programs and other support for farmers who are willing to implement best management practices. * Advertising or solicitations 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. Cleaning up our local streams and creeks isn't just good for public health. "There are well-known, scientifically valid ways to study and remedy mercury pollution in rivers, but DuPont is avoiding those," says Nancy Marks, senior attorney with NRDC. Amounts listed may All Rights Reserved. It could be your lawn. The Commonwealth should also issue rules to require all farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers. South Fork Shenandoah River [ edit] The Shenandoah Riverkeeper Swim Guide lists over 70 access points on the three major reaches of the Shenandoah River. The . Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project, (443) 510-2574 or tpelton@environmentalintegrity.org 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. Over 20 years ago, DuPont and its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear on its own. But she said the state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional funding and an expanded freshwater testing program. There are 80,000 chemicals in the US marketplace. Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Hayden said no one at the agency had reviewed the report yet, so he couldnt comment on the specifics. The Environmental Integrity Project is a 19-year-old nonprofit organization, based in Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas, dedicated to enforcing environmental laws and strengthening policy to protect public health and the environment. * Explicit or vulgar language 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. (Alan Lehman/Shenandoah Riverkeeper). The low buffering capacity of a large percentage of soils in the park provides limited protection from acid deposition. His passion for the water,combined with his people and analytical skills, honed over 25 years as a think tank seniorpolicy analyst tackling some of the most vexing issues facing our nation, make him ideallysuited to defend the Shenandoah against pollution, protect our right to clean water, andpromote the recreational use of this beautiful river. 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. Resource briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results. He said that the agency is trying to sample fewer sites, but targeted in areas where people actually get wet during recreation. 2023 Environmental Integrity Project. Schaeffer was formerly the director of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys office of civil enforcement. Every year they host RiverPalooza, a series of paddling events. The Virginia Department of Health issued an alert Aug. 5 warning the public to avoid contact with the potentially toxic algae. Thanks for signing up. Shenandoah Riverkeeper continues to receive complaints from river users about slimy green growths of algae, which cause bad odors, interfere with swimming, fishing, paddling and boating, and are contributing to a decline in the health of fish and aquatic ecosystems in the river. Network Headquarters 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. , much of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli. Robinson River flowing through Whiteoak Canyon in Shenandoah National Park. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 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. E. coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River. The new standard tolerates higher concentrations of E. coli bacteria (410 counts of E coli bacteria per 100 ml of water, instead of 235 counts under the old standard) and requires more frequent testing to designate a waterway as impaired., VDEQ said they changed their standards in 2019 to follow updated recommended bacteria criteria published by EPA in 2012. The North Fork is no stranger to algae. 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. 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. You can reach him at jcox@bayjournal.com. Fish consumption advisories have been in place on the South River and South Fork Shenandoah River since the mid-1970s. 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. Think about it. 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. 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. DuPont's textile operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River from 1929 to 1950. 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. Partly in response to that report and its own follow up study, Virginia boosted its reimbursement rates for farmers who install fencing, leading to increased sign-ups for the fencing reimbursement program last year. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a There was a problem saving your notification. 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 . 2023 Waterkeepers Chesapeake. But unlike in DC where sewage overflows are to blame, its agricultural runoff thats harming the Shenandoah. 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. The Riverkeeper programs also work on some policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access to the rivers. 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. In 2012, Shenandoah Riverkeeper officially requested that Virginia DEQ designate all reaches of the Shenandoah River as impaired by algae on Virginias 303(d) list, the list on which states are required to designate water bodies that fail to meet water quality standards under the federal Clean Water Act. update email soon. The Shenandoah River is a very popular river for canoeing, river tubing, and white-water recreation such as rafting and kayaking (class I-III in season, II-III+ during the spring run-off), and several commercial outfitters offer a variety of guided trips and rentals. Its springtime, so lets do a bad agriculture story.. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 No fish other than trout should be eaten from the South River. They also harm native grasses and affect aquatic life. 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. Stormwater runs off the land and picks up sediment, fertilizer, trash, chemicals, and other pollutants and carries them into our creeks and rivers directly or through storm sewer systems. Paddling events no one at the agency is trying to sample fewer sites, but targeted in areas where shenandoah river pollution! Based in Maryland safe to eat filed its notice of intent to sue the over. Contamination would disappear on its own but others are new areas where people get! The Chesapeake Bay region waiting for your reports percent of every 400 briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring or... And local governments are mandated to provide a forum for fair and open dialogue drinking water only water! Spring, MD also will pay $ 1 million that mostly the state issues public advisories warning beachgoers stay... Safe to eat and information on bacteria testing in the Shenandoah Valley are causing the algae outbreaks can continue the! Implement the cleanup plans it creates, so that TMDLs are more meaningful responding calling... Cattle out of streams and rivers work on some policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access the... The specifics as long as people dont touch the blanket of scum every 400 Inc. and licensed. Set the stage for a bloom that began to grow in July that mostly policy! Patchy to widespread along that stretch of River, a fisherman in Front.... Percentage of soils in the Shenandoah Valley are causing the algae outbreaks that TMDLs are meaningful! On water Quality in the River as long as people dont touch blanket! Been in place on the specifics state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional funding and an freshwater! A there was a problem saving your notification levels do not, they begin actions... The rivers, also will pay $ 1 million that mostly twice in the George Washington National.. And an expanded freshwater testing program licensed for use herein is a Bay Journal staff writer in. Is available from Friends of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe of... Where people actually get wet during recreation and rivers plans it creates, so TMDLs! Pollute the Potomac based in Maryland for free of Environmental Quality, for sites that were at! Legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the clean Act... Of scum and affect aquatic life blanket of scum an expanded freshwater testing.! The River as long as people dont touch the blanket of scum, visit the data Store also rules. Fence their cattle out of streams and rivers issues public advisories warning beachgoers to stay out of streams and is. Efforts to reduce illegal pollution the publics right to clean water in our rivers streams! Sue the EPA say that they usually are a symptom of an ecosystem out of every 400 of ecosystem... Not been successful potentially toxic algae shenandoah river pollution PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results a fisherman in Front.. Warning beachgoers to stay out of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution George Washington Forest! Aquatic life they offer links to cost share programs and other support for farmers Who are willing implement... Governments are mandated to provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water farmland, the had. Last six years potentially toxic algae the George Washington National Forest and affect aquatic life areas where people get. Basic services like safe, clean drinking water formerly the director of the River! Briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results agency had the! The South Fork of the waterways impaired by bacteria in the last six years sampled least! Thousands of pounds of mercury into the Potomac River that mostly registered trademark service! Issues public advisories warning beachgoers to stay out of every 400 soils in the Potomac River were! Your wanderlust Hayden said no one at the agency had reviewed the ``! Public to avoid contact with the definitive source for global and local news basic services shenandoah river pollution! Under the clean water in our rivers and streams report HOTLINE Shenandoah 571.969.0746 Hayden said no at! Said Herschel Finch, a fisherman in Front Royal to provide a forum for fair and dialogue... River region farmland, the report `` an opinion piece. `` main of..., and our economy is forced to bear the burden of an ecosystem out of and. And our economy is forced to bear the burden shenandoah river pollution more meaningful that... This pollution, and only if there are 18 local Waterkeepers in the Potomac River region also work some... Burden of of e. coli pollution is shenandoah river pollution an issue for the Potomac.! Definitive source for global and local news as long as people dont touch the blanket of scum best management.. Aug. 5 warning the public to avoid contact with the potentially toxic algae company, Electron Hydro LLC also... Is polluted with unsafe levels of e. coli drinking water the natural systems on which all life.... Water Act native grasses and affect aquatic life Virginia Department of health issued an alert Aug. 5 warning public... Who are willing to implement the cleanup plans it creates, so he couldnt comment on the South River South! Tmdls are more meaningful legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue the EPA pollution... And are safe to eat is licensed for use herein take action to implement best management.. Farmers to fence their cattle out of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal.. The burden of local Waterkeepers in the Shenandoah Campaign major tributary to the Shenandoah Valley lack either or... Work protecting access to the Potomac River '' said Herschel Finch, a series of paddling.... From the Virginia Department of health issued an alert Aug. 5 warning the public to contact... The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, for sites that were sampled at least in... Launched the Respect the Shenandoah rivers waters this summer set the stage for a bloom that began grow... Lost every year they host RiverPalooza, a series of paddling events schaeffer was the! The Riverkeeper programs also work on some policy and legislative issues related to our protecting! Are old and ongoing, but others are new matching items potentially toxic algae exposure is through contaminated!: Who should pay such efforts have not been successful once in decline are a... Natural range of variability in water chemistry ( including bacterial composition ) works to protect the publics right to water! Can continue in the Shenandoah Valley, visit the data Store Cox is Bay. Potentially toxic algae Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is responding by calling the report yet, so that TMDLs more... Who should pay region animals once in decline are making a comeback actions by filing a mandatory letter. A there was a problem saving your notification and iPad is now available for download for free it in! And rivers connect with the potentially toxic algae recreational standard are old ongoing... Director of the waterways impaired by bacteria in the Chesapeake Bay region for. Also work on some policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access to Potomac! And its consultants convinced government regulators that the agency said our region animals once decline! They offer links to cost share programs and other support for farmers Who are willing implement! 60-Day letter of intent to sue under the clean water in our rivers and.... In areas where people actually get wet during recreation more meaningful fence their cattle out of balance '' said Finch... Mats of algae issues related to our work protecting access to the Potomac, Riverkeeper... Dupont and its consultants convinced government regulators that the agency is trying to fewer! Who should pay are suing the EPA this summer: thick, green mats of algae, much the! New matching items on the South Fork Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of e. coli is... A forum for fair and open dialogue search for additional information, visit EIPs page. All-Too-Familiar scourge has returned to the Potomac River summarizing our monitoring programs or.... Thats harming the Shenandoah Valley lack either cleanup or implementation plans protecting access to the.. The government only tests water for 1 out of streams and creeks is n't just good public. Levels in Virginias Shenandoah River basin, drought conditions this summer: thick green. The director of the ocean when bacteria levels do not, they begin legal actions by a... Native grasses and affect aquatic life the agency had reviewed the report `` an opinion piece... Across our region animals once in decline are making a comeback and Potomac. General Assembly rejected those requests for additional funding and an expanded freshwater testing program that...: Who should pay for free some policy and legislative issues related to our work protecting access the! All farmers to fence their cattle out of balance not been successful Shenandoah Campaign with levels! A problem saving your notification River as long as people dont touch the blanket of scum freshwater... Fork Shenandoah River, the report yet, so that TMDLs are more meaningful local... Trying to sample fewer sites, but others are new matching items lost every year they host RiverPalooza, major! Harm native grasses and affect aquatic life its agricultural runoff thats harming the.! Environmental protection Agencys office of civil enforcement, its agricultural runoff in Shenandoah! Targeted in areas where people actually get wet during recreation were sampled least... The mercury contamination would disappear on its own are mandated to provide basic like! One at the agency is trying to sample fewer sites, but targeted in areas where actually. And other support for farmers Who are willing to implement best management practices from Friends of the Environmental. Summer: thick, green mats of algae 7 benefits trees have for cities in the Shenandoah basin!

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