Delegate Ken Plum’s Virginia E-News – September 21, 2005

COMMENTARY

Soon after my first election to the House of Delegates in 1977 I took my young sons Timothy and David fishing near my hometown of Shenandoah, Virginia. Fortunately we did not catch any fish because as family friends told us the Shenandoah River had been closed to fishing because of mercury contamination.

Virginia‘s environment continues to decline. Crisis is an often over-used word, but as I read a recent communication from the Chesapeake Bay Foundation about water quality in Virginia, crisis was the only word that I could think of to describe the situation. Utilizing the results of their own research as well as that of state and federal agencies, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation update to legislators painted a bleak picture of the state.

Virginia has nearly 7,000 miles of rivers and streams on EPA’s “dirty waters” list. That is half the streams the Commonwealth checks and includes all of the Chesapeake Bay. For example, the Health Department has issued fish consumption warnings to the Blackwater and Piankatank Rivers, Dragon Run Swamp and Lake Drummond because of mercury contamination; and in the Roanoke River, Bull Run, Indian Run, Beaver Creek and Knox Creek because of PCB contamination.

Earlier this month, Health Department officials posted signs saying, “Warning Swimmers: Bacteria levels do not meet state water quality standards; swimming not advised until further notice.” The affected beaches were Hilton Beach and King-Lincoln Park in Newport News and Virginia Beach between 45^th and 63^rd Streets.

This summer is proving to be among the worst in the history of the Chesapeake Bay for oxygen problems. As of July, a “dead zone” of oxygen-starved water covered 36 percent of the Bay threatening fish, crabs and other aquatic life. Oxygen levels have dropped below healthy ranges in the York, James, Elizabeth, and Rappahannock Rivers that run into the Bay. Increased nutrient pollution from farms, fertilizer, cars, sewage treatment plants, and development contribute to the problem.

Large algae blooms caused by nitrogen and phosphorus pollution have been documented in the James River below Hopewell, in Newport News, and in the Potomac River below Washington. The algae sucks oxygen from the rivers and Bay which can lead to the death of fish, crabs, and other aquatic life. The algae also kills the river grasses where fish hide by blocking the sun.

Estimates of the state’s share of the cost to address water quality issues are $2.3 billion. The last session of the General Assembly appropriated $50 million for Bay cleanup. Clearly the problem must receive more serious attention in future sessions of the legislature. In the meantime, we can remember that we are part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed. It is important that we not over-fertilize our lawns. Never discharge any chemicals or petroleum products into storm drains. Join in the watershed cleanup days sponsored by the Reston Association. Help the Chesapeake Bay Foundation; visit their website, www.cbf.org, to learn how.

It would not be much fun to take my grandchildren fishing in the Shenandoah River. A massive fish kill this year in the Shenandoah River has eliminated 80 percent of the adult smallmouth bass and sunfish population.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Connect with your community at Volunteeria. The Reston Community Center (RCC) and Reston Association invite you to their annual Volunteeria event on Thursday, September 22, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Hunters Woods facility at 2310 Colts Neck Road, Reston. Volunteeria is a volunteer fair. At volunteeria you can recruit volunteers, network with your peers, and increase community awareness of your organization and its mission. Volunteeria is free, but registration is required. To participate, your organization must register no later than August 29. To register and get additional information, contact Anna Dowdell at 703.476.4500, ext. 6160, or email Anna.Dowdell@FairfaxCounty.gov.

The 2005 Virginia Environmental Assembly – “Moving Virginia Forward on the Right Track: New Leaders, New Partners, New Opportunities’ – will be held at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland on Saturday, September 24 and is co-sponsored by the Virginia Conservation Network and Randolph-Macon College Environmental Studies Program. This is Virginia’s premiere annual gathering of citizens, conservation groups, elected officials, and environmental policy experts. This year’s theme recognizes our environmental struggles as part of the bigger picture of what we want for our families and our future. The 2005 VEA offers an in-depth look at three areas that could move us toward real solutions and keep citizens at the table in the process. Go to www.vcnva.org for registration and information.

Save the Date and Join the Buddy Walk on September 24! Don’t miss the fun! The Down Syndrome Association of Northern Virginia (DSANV) invites you to participate in its 2005 Inaugural Buddy Walk. The Buddy Walk was developed by the National Down Syndrome Society in 1995 to bring together a wide range of concerned individuals reaching out to friends, family, co-workers, teachers, professionals and leaders in the community to promote awareness and inclusion for people with Down syndrome and to raise funds for education, research, and advocacy programs. The Buddy Walk will take place on September 24 at the Fairfax County Government Center Ellipse from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.. A large festival will follow the half-mile walk with nationially recognized musicians, clowns, cartoon characters, children’s activities, food vendors, an exhibitor pavilion, and much more. Visit www.dsanv.org for more information.

Join the MArcH for Virginians with Disabilities on October 1 in Richmond.  The Arc of Virginia and its 22 affiliated chapters will MArcH from Mayo Island in Richmond to the Bell Tower on the Capitol Grounds on October 1 to show our elected officials and communities that Virginians with disabilities desire what all Virginians want: A life like yours, a place to call home, access to health care, transportation, an education, a job, recreation, and a safe community. For more information call The Arc of Virginia at 888.604.2677 or visit www.ArcofVa.org.

The 54^th Virginia Transportation Conference will be held October 26-28 at the Hotel Roanoke and Conference Center, Roanoke, Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation, Virginia Department of Rail & Public Transportation, Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles, Virginia Port Authority, Virginia Department of Aviation, and the Virginia Tech Transportation Institute will host the conference. This year’s them is “Virginia Transportation at the Crossroads – Investing in Mobility and Accessibility.” The multi-modal theme will offer opportunities to explore a number of solutions to the difficult transportation issues we face in Virginia. Visit www.vatransconf.org for details about speakers, sessions, and registration information.

The Women’s Entrepreneurs’ Expo is the signature event of the Women’s Business Center of Northern Virginia. This year’s Expo will be held October 20-21 at George Mason University’s Johnson Center and will feature a terrific line-up of informative and educational workshops and a trade fair. Syndicated columnist and author Michelle Singletary (“The Color of Money”) will be the keynote luncheon speaker on October 21. Visit www.wbcnova.org for information about registration and exhibitor/ sponsorship opportunities

Virginia’s first trees and utilities conference, “Look Up Virginia,” will be held on Wednesday, October 26, at the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gadens in Richmond. The conference is seeking to reduce tree/utility conflict by educating, influencing and encouraging people to recognize the conflict, remove problematic tree and utility situations and plant appropriately. Citizens interested in more attractive communities are encouraged to attend. General registration by October 7 is $25 and includes lunch and take-home materials. Seating is limited. For more information, call 434.220.9024. 

CALENDAR

Wednesday, September 21 at 10:30 p.m. – tune in to Delegate Ken Plum’s “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28 – William C. Dickinson, Chairman of the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority – “A Walk in the Park.”

September 22 through October 2 – Virginia State Fair at the Richmond Raceway Complex. Visit www.statefair.com for details.

Tuesday, September 27 at 7:30 p.m. and Wednesday, September 28 at 10:30 p.m. – tune in to Delegate Ken Plum’s “Virginia Report” on Comcast Channel 28 – Jessica Luehrs, student and Girl Scout – “Scouting and the Environment.”

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Authorized and paid for by Kenneth R. Plum.

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