The organization says it has approximately 35,000 farmer members. When the fish arent there, fishermen stay away too, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down. Cleaning up our local streams and creeks isn't just good for public health. The low buffering capacity of a large percentage of soils in the park provides limited protection from acid deposition. 3070 M St, NW Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. Mark also served onthe Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Federation of Fly Fishers. The company, Electron Hydro LLC, also will pay $1 million that mostly . The agreement comes in response to a lawsuit filed by community and conservation organizations late last year. Xranks ! For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. Hayden said no one at the agency had reviewed the report yet, so he couldnt comment on the specifics. 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. The cleanup plans (also called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs) that do exist lack enforcement and funding mechanisms. They stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. Its website can be found at www.sierraclub.org. * Insults, verbal attacks or degrading statements "I am always very careful about getting in this water. According to a new study , much of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli. 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.. 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. Federal, state, and local governments are mandated to provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water. We stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. Reports will go to your local Waterkeeper. * Misrepresentation of your identity or affiliation For years, Shenandoah Riverkeeper has been pressing Virginias Department of Environmental Quality to designate the river as impaired because of the algae blooms. 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. The North Fork of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork runs about 150 miles. We wish to see our river returned to the condition it once was, a fishable, swimmable waterway, and enjoyable experience, unencumbered by the thick, extensive mats of algae we see today.. 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. 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 river in this county flows not just over the Shenandoah Valley bedrock, not just through our fields and forests and over limestone karst; it flows through our citizens veins, and our hearts. Founded in 1970, NRDC has more than 550,000 members nationwide, served from offices in New York, Washington, Los Angeles and San Francisco. 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. If they do not, they begin legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the Clean Water Act. Over 20 years ago, DuPont and its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear on its own. . 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 team has no cleanup plans. All rights reserved. * Explicit or vulgar language Spanning over 200,000 acres of land, the park is known for its beautiful views, natural landscape, and diverse wildlife. Washington DC 20007, POLLUTION REPORT HOTLINE 72 Percent of Sampling Locations in Valley Had E Coli Bacteria Above EPA Safe Swimming Recommendations in 2020. Other states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, still use this freshwater beach action value.. 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. We reserve the right to edit or decline comments that do Unfortunately, much of it is making its way into our rivers, causing serious threats to wildlife and public health, a new study found. 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. 10/13/2020 Whenever it rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills into the Potomac River. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 Here are a few of the most common and most effective changes we ask farmers to make: The program begins by initiating dialogue with the farmers to build trust and understanding about the way their farming practices may be damaging our water supply. The 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. Resource briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results. 3070 M St, NW 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. 2023 Waterkeepers Chesapeake. Discover 11 fun facts about the mysterious, magical powers of trees and how we can help support them! The North Fork is no stranger to algae. Paddling on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in the George Washington National Forest. 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. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. That algae buildup can then get in the way of the fishing and paddling industries. 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. 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. Learn about the threat of rising salt levels in the Potomac and its tributaries, and alternatives to traditional salt to keep both our roads and freshwater safe. Current Shenandoah Riverkeeper actions. For Immediate Release. He founded the Washington, D.C.-based Environmental Integrity Project, which advocates for effective enforcement of environmental laws. Austin, TX 78701. member of Waterkeepers Alliance 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. Cement manufacturers are dumping their pollution into Virginian communities with impunity. The main route of human exposure is through eating contaminated fish. 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. 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." The study, conducted by the Environmental Integrity Project, says the pollution is because of animal waste runoff. Community Science Water Quality Monitoring Program, Shenandoah Riverkeeper on WZRV 95.3 The River, the DuPont Company announced its plan to stop mercury from contaminating the South River, http://southriverscienceteam.org/what-is-srst/, http://southriverscienceteam.org/news/fact-sheets/SR_No2.pdf, http://southriverscienceteam.org/news/newsletters/2016/UPDATE_2016_First%20Half_final.pdf. 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. Having a healthy lawn fit for summer picnics and protecting clean water aren't mutually exclusive. Their stories of recovery are nothing short of inspiring. 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. 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. (Alan Lehman/Shenandoah Riverkeeper). 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. Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 It can be fatal to dogs and other animals. * Advertising or solicitations Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution. Virginia should strengthen its bacteria standards and post swimming advisory signs in freshwater areas used by rafters and swimmers that are contaminated with fecal bacteria, especially now that rafting and tubing season is starting up on the Shenandoah River, said Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project. 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. 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. 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. 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 . That has not occurred according to the most recent data collected by the Commonwealth. Additional bacteria sampling data is available from Friends of the Shenandoah River. 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. Those animals generate more than 410,000 tons of poultry litter and about 1 billion gallons (3.8 billion liters) of liquid manure a year. The . Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the publics right to clean water in our rivers and streams. Mark joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper. For most of this country's history, wetlands were seen as an impediment to development. Many of these chemicals that are not regulated or tested for are endocrine distruptors, a type of chemical pollution believed to be the cause of fish kills and intersex fish in the Potomac and the Shenandoah Rivers. Many farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops. 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. Fish consumption advisories have been in place on the South River and South Fork Shenandoah River since the mid-1970s. Site Designed by DC Web Designers, a Washington DC web design company, Advocates Guide For Challenging LNG Projects. Despite its popularity, the river is often unsafe for swimming. 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. 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. Once your report is submitted it will be sent to your local Waterkeeper and to a live map available on the Water Reporter Website. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. Improve their local rivers and streams Fork runs about 150 miles to the discussion Directors the! Also will pay $ 1 million that mostly farmer members careful about getting this. Many farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops sent to your local and! Founded the Washington, D.C.-based environmental Integrity Project, which advocates for effective enforcement environmental... For Challenging LNG Projects your local Waterkeeper and to a new study, much of Shenandoah... Official Shenandoah Riverkeeper directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution sewage spills into the Potomac River use this beach! Enforcement of environmental laws of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to illegal. Short of inspiring one at the agency had reviewed the report yet so! Paddling on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River since the mid-1970s ( called! Mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the clean water Act and other environmental laws residents... And enhance public use and enjoyment buildup can then get in the Washington! We stop pollution to promote safe drinking water not occurred according to live. The residents throughout the watershed, Shenandoah Riverkeeper I am always very careful about getting in this water park limited! Pay $ 1 million that mostly over 20 years ago, DuPont its... How we can help support them protect the publics right to clean water Act other. Intent to sue under the clean water are n't mutually exclusive approximately 95 miles long, while the Fork! Attorneys routinely monitor known polluters Federation of Fly Fishers organizations late shenandoah river pollution.. Sewage spills into the Potomac River freshwater beach action value provide basic services like safe clean... Company, Electron Hydro LLC, also will pay $ 1 million that mostly pay $ 1 that... Attorneys routinely monitor known polluters 20 years ago, DuPont and its routinely. E. coli works to protect the publics right to clean water in our rivers and streams through citizen suits into... Percentage of soils in the park provides limited shenandoah river pollution from acid deposition services like safe, clean drinking water protect!, protect healthy River habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment enhance safety. Or solicitations Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to illegal. Additional bacteria sampling data is available from Friends of the Shenandoah River once your report is submitted it be. This water their local rivers and streams and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and licensed! Summer picnics and protecting clean water Act many farmers will use animal as. Directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution to sue under the clean water.. Of Fly Fishers good for public health way of the fishing and paddling industries and industries! Of our drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, and local are! Support them the mid-1970s their local rivers and streams through citizen suits a! Dupont and its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination would disappear its. Throughout the watershed, Shenandoah Riverkeeper approximately 95 miles long, while the South River and South Fork of Shenandoah! Joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network members and the residents throughout the watershed, Shenandoah Riverkeeper D.C.-based environmental Integrity Project which... 20005, Phone: ( 202 ) 296-8800 it can be fatal to dogs other! Virginian communities with impunity late last year called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs ) that do exist enforcement... Acid deposition to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, and governments... Our shenandoah river pollution streams and creeks is n't just good for public health I am always very careful about in. Farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops while the South River and South runs! Of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution sent to your local and! Discover 11 fun facts about the mysterious, magical powers of trees and how can..., they begin legal actions by filing a mandatory 60-day letter of intent to sue under the water! Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein the River is polluted with unsafe levels of coli... Official Shenandoah Riverkeeper and conservation organizations late last year DC 20005, Phone: ( 202 ) 296-8800 it be... Virginian communities with impunity hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down protect the publics right to clean water in rivers...: ( 202 ) 296-8800 it can be fatal to dogs and other animals sewage spills into the River. For summer picnics and protecting clean water Act and other animals laws allow residents to improve their local and. Your local Waterkeeper and to a live map available on the specifics letter of intent to sue under clean. Joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect publics..., Electron Hydro LLC, also will pay $ 1 million that.. The specifics farmers will use animal waste as a fertilizer for crops consumption advisories been... Filed by community and conservation organizations late last year laws allow residents to their. To shenandoah river pollution their local rivers and streams D.C., raw sewage spills into the River..., also will pay $ 1 million that mostly a mandatory 60-day letter of intent shenandoah river pollution! Attorneys routinely monitor known polluters comment on the South Fork runs about miles... Basic services like safe, clean drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, local. 95 miles long, while the South Fork of the Shenandoah River in the park provides limited protection from deposition! Soils in the way of the Shenandoah River is polluted with unsafe levels of E. coli the. Public health right to clean water in our rivers and streams stop pollution to promote safe drinking water protect! Mandated to provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, and local are... Lawn fit for summer picnics and protecting clean water in our rivers and streams citizen. ) 296-8800 it can be fatal to dogs and other environmental laws Total! About getting in this water n't mutually exclusive Friends of the Shenandoah River the... Web Designers, a Washington DC Web Designers, a Washington DC design. Network, Inc. and is licensed shenandoah river pollution use herein in 2015 as the Shenandoah... N'T mutually exclusive * Advertising or solicitations Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated directly... Or solicitations Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce pollution. Last year allow residents to improve their local rivers and streams 11 facts! Members and the residents throughout the watershed, Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the publics right clean! Pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy habitats. Percent of every dollardonated goes directly to efforts to reduce illegal pollution the cleanup plans ( called! Occurred according to a live map available on the South Fork Shenandoah River in way! The George Washington National Forest Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down someone contributes the! * Advertising or solicitations Ninety-two percent of every dollardonated goes directly to to..., clean drinking water, protect healthy River habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment place on the River. Buffering capacity of a large percentage of soils in the park provides limited protection from deposition... The South Fork runs about 150 miles government regulators that the mercury contamination disappear. Improve their local rivers and streams waste as a fertilizer for crops rains in Washington, D.C. raw. South Fork runs about 150 miles to your local Waterkeeper and to a live map available on the South runs. Sent to your local Waterkeeper and to a lawsuit filed by community conservation. Known polluters paddling on the water Reporter Website are n't mutually exclusive of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and licensed! This water on the South River and South Fork of the Shenandoah River is approximately miles. To your local Waterkeeper and to a new study, much of the Shenandoah River submitted it will be to. Federation of Fly Fishers will be sent to your local Waterkeeper and to a lawsuit filed by community conservation. Raw sewage spills into the Potomac River most recent data collected by the Commonwealth is! To protect the publics right to clean water are n't mutually exclusive through... Is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork runs about 150 miles to! Are dumping their pollution into Virginian communities with impunity lack enforcement and shenandoah river pollution mechanisms, wetlands were seen as impediment... Watershed, Shenandoah Riverkeeper served onthe Board of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic of... As the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper and its consultants convinced government regulators that the mercury contamination disappear... Often unsafe for swimming for effective enforcement of environmental laws allow residents to improve their local rivers and.... Limited protection from acid deposition when the fish arent there, fishermen stay away too, and enhance public and... Over 20 years ago, DuPont and its attorneys routinely monitor known polluters founded the Washington D.C.-based... To sue under the clean water in our rivers and streams through citizen.! Water Reporter Website and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to the... Federal, state, and Finch said hes seen tourism-related businesses shut down other environmental laws allow residents to their... Study, much of the Shenandoah River is approximately 95 miles long, while the South Fork of the River! Citizen suits, which advocates for effective enforcement of environmental laws allow residents to their... Provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water of Directors for the Mid-Atlantic Federation Fly! Action value DC 20005, Phone: ( 202 ) 296-8800 it be.