I make sure not to get it in my eyes, God forbid I drink any of it. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. But the state provides no such notice when the Shenandoah Valley and other rivers and streams are contaminated, even when E. coli levels are more than 100 times the recreational limit, it says. Small changes can make a big difference. This is why Shenandoah Riverkeeper has filed its notice of intent to sue the EPA. 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 agency has refused, even as evidence of the impairment has grown. When you sign up you'll become a member of NRDC's Activist Network. In a victory for clean water, the Environmental Protection Agency announced its intent today to publish updated water-pollution control standards for slaughterhouses and animal rendering facilities by August 2025. Source: Data Store Saved Search 686 (results presented are a subset). Experts say that they usually are a symptom of an ecosystem out of balance. Under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, the federal statute under which the two groups are planning to bring suit, a notice of intent must be served 90 days in advance of filing a lawsuit. "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. 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. But unlike in DC where sewage overflows are to blame, its agricultural runoff thats harming the Shenandoah. 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. "The Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful rivers in the countryand a popular recreation destination. 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. Sampling locations often change from year to year. They stop pollution to promote safe drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. update email soon. Resource briefs are short PDFs summarizing our monitoring programs or results. 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. But it's threatened by the failure of state and federal authorities to stop excessive nutrientsand the algae they producefrom entering the river. ADVERTISEMENT The Virginia Farm Bureau Federation is responding by calling the report "an opinion piece.". many people love the Shenandoah River, "Despite its popularity, the river is often unsafe for swimming. E. coli pollution is also an issue for the Potomac River. Other states, including Maryland and Pennsylvania, still use this freshwater beach action value.. Shenandoah 571.969.0746 The cleanup plans (also called Total Maximum Daily Loads or TMDLs) that do exist lack enforcement and funding mechanisms. But many farms still lack livestock fencing. There was a problem saving your notification. 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. Riverkeeper is a registered trademark and service mark of Potomac Riverkeeper Network, Inc. and is licensed for use herein. They also harm native grasses and affect aquatic life. Last year, pollution credit trading allowed the Strasburg Sewage Treatment Plant to release 2,942 pounds of phosphorus into the North Fork of the Shenandoah, according to the new Environmental . The Commonwealth should also issue rules to require all farmers to fence their cattle out of streams and rivers. 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. The. 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. State Disclosures, Nancy Marks, NRDC, 212-727-4414; Michael Town, Sierra Club, 804-225-9113; 804-319-6083. Federal, state, and local governments are mandated to provide basic services like safe, clean drinking water. 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. 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. 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. "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 . Shenandoah National Park is located in Virginia's Blueridge Mountains. Recreational uses can continue in the river as long as people dont touch the blanket of scum. The Shenandoah is such a beautiful and historic place and such a treasured spot for fishing, tubing, and recreation Virginia really needs to get more serious about protecting it, said Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project and former Director of Civil Enforcement at EPA.. Most of all, Virginia needs to regulate the growing livestock industry to stop the chronic overapplication of fertilizer to farm fields, and mandate livestock fencing along streams.. The Commonwealth also eliminated the states swimming advisory standard for freshwater recreation areas in October 2019 and changed its standard for impaired waters. DuPont plans to remediate and restore the riverbanks starting in Constitution Park down in Waynesboro, Virginia. Determine the natural range of variability in water chemistry (including bacterial composition). 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. 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. 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. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. Fax: (202) 296-8822, 1206 San Antonio Street Working with, , Potomac Riverkeeper Network developed a mobile app, which is a Bay-wide initiative, to gather critical data on the waterways you love! The team has no cleanup plans. Upper Potomac 443.480.8970 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. Mercury pollution is known to cause severe physiological, behavioral, and reproductive disorders and is particularly harmful to developing fetuses. 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. 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. Despite its popularity, the river is often unsafe for swimming. Tom Pelton, Environmental Integrity Project, (443) 510-2574 or tpelton@environmentalintegrity.org Detect water quality measures that exceed threshold values and determine their compliance with state and federal water quality standards. While we acknowledge DuPonts commitment to the community, and agreeing to stabilize the riverbank by employing a impermeable barrier and covering that with additional clay, soil and native plants, it has been 66 years thats right 66 years since the active leaking stopped. 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 Shenandoah is one of the most beautiful rivers in the countryand a popular recreation destination. Experts say that they usually are a symptom of an ecosystem out of balance. Austin, TX 78701. 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. Think about it. The organization says it has approximately 35,000 farmer members. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a 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. 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. for iPhone and iPad is now available for download for free! The Shenandoah River not only provides rich soils for farming, but also supports a wide variety of species, including white-tailed deer, black bears, bobcats, coyotes, eastern brook trout, red-tailed hawks, and the endangered Shenandoah salamander. DuPont's textile operations discharged tens of thousands of pounds of mercury into the South River from 1929 to 1950. 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. But she said the state General Assembly rejected those requests for additional funding and an expanded freshwater testing program. 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. Monitoring Program Inevitably, humans shaped the river back. There are 18 local Waterkeepers in the Chesapeake Bay region waiting for your reports. Having a healthy lawn fit for summer picnics and protecting clean water aren't mutually exclusive. 10/13/2020 Whenever it rains in Washington, D.C., raw sewage spills into the Potomac River. You have permission to edit this article. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. Shenandoah features waterfalls, quiet woods, wildflower fields, rocky hiking trails, and so much more. Mark joined Potomac Riverkeeper Network in 2015 as the official Shenandoah Riverkeeper. Shenandoah Riverkeeper works to protect the public's right to clean water in our rivers and streams. The . follow these guidelines. While Virginia has taken account of similar evidence in prior decisions to list other water bodies as impaired, it has refused to list the Shenandoah as impaired despite the ample evidence submitted in this case. People might be upset by warning signs, but the signs would increase public pressure on state lawmakers to invest the funds and effort needed to reduce pollution for example, by requiring farmers to fence their herds of cattle out of the Shenandoah River, said Schaeffer, former Director of Civil Enforcement at EPA. 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 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. "Blooms in general are always exacerbated by nutrients," said Joe Wood, a senior scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Virginia office. For most of this country's history, wetlands were seen as an impediment to development. For more than 20 years, DuPont leaked mercury from the textile plant into the South River, eventually ending up in the Shenandoah River. & Waterkeepers Chesapeake. Xranks ! Its springtime, so lets do a bad agriculture story.. There are 80,000 chemicals in the US marketplace. That has not occurred according to the most recent data collected by the Commonwealth. Their stories of recovery are nothing short of inspiring. Shenandoah River The famed Shenandoah River is the major waterway and drainage system of the Shenandoah Valley. Washington, DC 20005, Phone: (202) 296-8800 * Insults, verbal attacks or degrading statements 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. Paved, drained, dammed and polluted to the point where it is barely recognizable as a stream, the Santa Ana River has long been more a source of ridicule than recreation, more of a waste pit than . Please use language that is accurate and respectful. 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. Virginia needs to start notifying the public that the Shenandoah Valleys waterways are unsafe for swimming and tubing or, better yet, the state should solve this manure overload problem, said Eric Schaeffer, Executive Director of the Environmental Integrity Project and former Director of Civil Enforcement at EPA. Last year unsafe levels of E.coli bacteria caused the cancellation of the Nations Triathlon swim portion. Today's announcement marks that notice. "Instead of solving the problem, the DuPont funded team is just generating lots of reports, not one of which is aimed toward a cleanup.". But in the past 15 years or so, he began to see fish die-offs and excessive algae growth. Collecting and Managing Surplus Manure: Who Should Pay? Source: Data Store Saved Search 709. 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. As a last resort, we will take a polluter to court to stop the pollution. The government only tests water for 1 out of every 400. 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. They include a descriptive narrative of what we monitor and why, our field methods, how we analyze and manage our data, and more. 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.. Photo credit: Alan Lehman, Program Manager, Shenandoah Riverkeeper. Environmental Integrity Project's Twitter. The river is a popular recreation spot, and the excessive pollution levels pose a threat to local residents, wildlife, and underwater vegetation. Guest Article by Jeff "Yakfish" Little. * Incorrect, fraudulent or misleading content "I am always very careful about getting in this water. No fish other than trout should be eaten from the South River. Periodically, we publish reports that describe what we are learning in the field. 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 . 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. 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. Natural Resources Defense Council 2023 Privacy Policy 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 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 . Document the status of and trends in water quality as influenced by point source and non-point source pollution (including atmospheric deposition). Seven Things You Can Do To Protect the Shenandoah River From Future Fish Kills. To search for additional information, visit the Data Store. Local groups challenge EPAs approval of Virginias decision to not list the Shenandoah as impaired, despite excessive algae blooms and nutrient pollution. We stop pollution to enhance the safety of our drinking water, protect healthy river habitats, and enhance public use and enjoyment. 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. Where does that leave us now? 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. 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. In the Shenandoah Valley, Shenandoah Riverkeeper is going site by site to all the farms in the area, opening a dialogue with farmers about improving the practices that endanger the health and jobs of people living downstream. 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. 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. Its a matter of basic fairness.. The number of waterway sites sampled for bacteria by Virginia is also declining, with an average of 70 places on waterways in the Shenandoah Valley sampled between 2015 and 2018, but only 35 in 2019 and 25 in 2020. Robinson River flowing through Whiteoak Canyon in Shenandoah National Park. Potentially toxic algae mats return to Shenandoah River, Outside in: Explore nature through the Great Indoors, Savor the history, grounds of Virginia's Windsor Castle Park, Warm, cozy stays await state park visitors in the Chesapeake region, For an escape from suburbia, Sandy Bottom Nature Park is tops. 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. Spanning over 200,000 acres of land, the park is known for its beautiful views, natural landscape, and diverse wildlife. We reserve the right to edit or decline comments that do Reports will go to your local Waterkeeper. 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. We will 72 Percent of Sampling Locations in Valley Had E Coli Bacteria Above EPA Safe Swimming Recommendations in 2020. (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. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. 2023, Potomac Conservancy, Silver Spring, MD. The North Fork is no stranger to algae. Fax: (202) 296-8822, 1206 San Antonio Street As a result of high air pollution levels, atmospheric deposition is the greatest threat to protected mountain streams. Thanks for signing up. To many environmental groups, the root of the algae issue in the Shenandoah is clear: nutrient pollution, especially from agriculture. 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. 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. The Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club has over 16,000 members. The Shenandoah Valley is home to approximately 160 million chickens, 16 million turkeys, and half a million cows, and much of the manure from farms ends up in the river. Get an email notification whenever someone contributes to the discussion. Media contacts: Hayden said no one at the agency had reviewed the report yet, so he couldnt comment on the specifics. Our Mission Our mission is to protect the public's right to clean water in the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers and their tributaries. All Rights Reserved. (For specifics, see Appendix C). 2023 Waterkeepers Chesapeake. The warning signs could include a website or hotline that people could use to get the most recent bacteria monitoring information. Things you can do to protect the public & # x27 ; s right to or! Virginias decision to not list the Shenandoah as impaired, despite excessive algae growth restore the riverbanks starting in Park. Eliminated the states swimming advisory standard for freshwater recreation areas in October 2019 and changed its standard for freshwater areas. As evidence of the Sierra Club, 804-225-9113 ; 804-319-6083 Virginias decision to not the. We reserve the right to clean water in our rivers and streams citizen. 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