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Elizabeth River Watershed

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Elizabeth River Watershed Community Based Restoration of the Elizabeth River – A Story of Success Josef Rieger Deputy Director – Restoration The Elizabeth River Project Mission: Restore the Elizabeth River to the highest practical level of environmental quality through government, business, & community partnerships. ➢ Working on restoring the river for 22 years ➢ 120 River Star facilities ➢ Over 4,000 River Star Homes ➢ Government projects with US Navy, NOAA, US EPA, VA DEQ, VA DCR, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, & Chesapeake Elizabeth River Watershed • 200 sq. mile Lafayette River watershed Lafayette River • 4 Cities • Great Dismal Swamp Portsmouth freshwater Virginia Beach source Chesapeake • Trapped Estuary Best news: • Most improving 10-year trends in the once-notoriously polluted S. Branch • Delisting of the Lafayette River for bacteria • Dropping nitrogen concentrations in: • Southern Branch • Eastern Branch • Main Stem Watershed Action Plan Priorities: ❖ Action: Keep the goo going! ❖ Action: Achieve sustainable development and redevelopment ❖ Action: Restore resilient natural shores ❖ Action: Restore clean water ❖ Action: Create a river revolution Elizabeth River Sediments Contamination from PAH - highest in the Chesapeake Bay (463 times average for bay) Cancer in the Mummichog Healthy Mummichog Liver Pre-Cancerous Mummichog Liver Cancerous Mummichog Liver Money Point – A Story of Environmental Restoration Money Point Money Point History & Legacy Impacts 12,126,000 12,127,000 Phased ApproachHolland 3,454,000 3,454,000 Rotterdam Phase 3- Northern Ber Lem Dredging and Cap Phase 2- Northern Dredging and Sand Cap 3,453,000 3,453,000 Amerada Hess Phase 1- Living Cap Navigation Channel Surface PAH (mg/Kg) < 45 3,452,000 3,452,000 45 - 100 100 - 500 500 - 1,000 Elizabeth River 1,000 - 2,000 2,000 - 3,000 Terminals > 3,000 Money Point, VA Alt 5A. Dredging in the north and NOTE: Coordinate System: VA State Plane Science Applications International Corporation a sand cap to the south Horizontal Datum: NAD83 A221 Third St. Units: feet 0 200 400 800 Newport, RI 02840 Vertical Datum: MLLW 401-847-4210 Airphoto: 1994 www.saic-marinesciences.com Feet File: MP_meeting1.mxd Greg Berman, SAIC, 19 Jul 06 Action – Keep The Goo Going Southern Hot Spot Phase I - Living Cap and Wetlands Restoration Living Cap ERT Wetlands After Construction Sand Cap With Oyster Reef Phase II Dredging of 15,000 cy Mummichog Sampling Mummichog Monitoring Results Mummichog Monitoring Results Benthic Sampling Increase in Fin Fish Diversity •Four species found prior to restoration •26 species now recorded Action: Achieve sustainable development and redevelopment Living River Restoration Trust Land Conservation Action – Restore Resilient Shores ❖Paradise Creek Nature Park – 40 acres • Premiere education site to open to the public in 2012 • Kayak launch • Open air education center opened this week • 3 Miles of trails Hermitage Museum Norfolk, VA Restored 12 Sanctuary Oyster Reefs in the Lafayette River and 20 in the Elizabeth River Lafayette River Results RESULTS Lined Seashore Actions – Restore Clean Water • Reduce bacteria to achieve recreational contact • Reduce nutrients to achieve healthy marine life Once Impaired Waters in the Lafayette River Water pollution and State water quality monitoring stations poor water quality 1.15 not only harm #* aquatic life but also pose a serious 3.83 threat to human #* health and well- being. The river now meets the state’s criteria for safe fishing and swimming. Historic Progress ❖ More than 50% of the Lafayette met the state criteria for shellfish harvest! ❖ The Lafayette River will be taken off the impaired waters list for bacteria. Action – Create a River Revolution ❖Citizens can make a difference as a River Star Home. ❖It’s easy, fun and free! ❖Commit to 7 simple things you can do at home. River Star Homes ❖ Over 4,000 “River Star Homes” are following 7 simple steps for a cleaner river River Star Homes 1. Scoop the Poop – reduce bacteria levels 2. Protect storm drains - reduce excess nutrients 3. Help geese migrate – geese increases bacteria 4. Don’t flush medicine – they end up in the river. 5. No grease in sink – cause sewer overflows. 6. Property Pump out boat sewage – can increase bacteria 7. Reduce fertilizer on your lawn – causes algae blooms 132 gallon rain barrels Lawn makeovers Shoreline buffers Rain Gardens Citizens Taking Action Questions??.
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