Newly Found Impairments Chesapeake Bay Protection and the Ethical Need to Improve Our Local Environment
Dec 25, 2015
Newly Found Impairments
Chesapeake Bay Protection
and the Ethical Need to
Improve Our Local Environment
And Inadequate Engineering and
Construction Practices Even in front
of us we ignore the obvious threats to the environment.
EPA must Monitor this. In August 2010 DEQ Issued Draft Water Quality Assessment and Impaired Waters Integrated Report
Driven By: Clean Water Act and the
Virginia Water Quality Monitoring, Information and Restoration Act require state to assess and report on the quality of state waters.
Dec 2010 – Chesapeake Bay TMDL is due
What would we Expect?
Impaired area in rivers and streams increased from 10,543 miles in 2008 to 12,103 miles in 2010
Who do we think is to Blame?
The leading cause of impairment of designated uses in Virginia’s rivers and streams is exceedences of the E. coli bacteria Standard
Agricultural practices appear to be one of the primary sources contributing to the bacteria Standards violations. However, urban runoff, leaking sanitary sewers, urban storm sewers, failing septic tanks, domestic animals and even wildlife can also be significant contributing sources.
Newly Added 2010 Creek Impairment Mile List
TMDL
Ivy Creek Aquatic Life Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments 5A 5.22 2010 2020
Burton Creek Aquatic Life Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments 5A 3.45 2010 2022
Judith Creek Aquatic Life Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments 5A 10.54 2010 2022
Tomahawk Creek Aquatic Life Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments 5A 5.89 2010 2022
Blackwater Creek Aquatic Life Benthic-Macroinvertebrate Bioassessments 5A 10.30 2010 2022
What Did We Expect?
1. All of our Stream are Impaired.2. We really don’t have time/resources
to help you with this problem until 2022.
3. In 2022 we will start the TMDL 5-10 year process only putting resources toward identification
4. When we finish you will need to implement solutions
Chesapeake Bay – Kind of a Mess
Nutrients entering Bay cause excessive algae growth
Excessive algae growth shades water and growth of sea grass or SAV
SAV is critical as absorbers of nutrients, toxins and protective areas for species such as Blue Crabs
Additionally, sediment causes same problems and is at historical highs
So in 1985 to Combat this Problem
Set a 40% reduction in 1985 for year 2000
But by 2000 levels actually increased and new studies insued
EPA asserts that it must develop the Bay TMDL by December 2010 pursuant to the requirements of the Consent Decree entered in the case American Canoe Association et al. v. the United States EPA
TMDL Response Establishment of first in the Chesapeake Bay
watershed cap on nutrient loadsfrom significant point source dischargers.
Established nutrient credit exchange program that has been successful in ensuring orderly and cost-effective upgrades of sewage treatment plants.
Expansion of nutrient management on a wide variety of land uses.
Accelerated and focused agricultural cost-share program, including special emphasis given to “priority practices.”
Consolidated and strengthened stormwater management program
Improved oversight and implementation of local erosion and sediment control and Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act programs
Improved reporting of agricultural best-management programs to ensure full credit is given
Improved reporting of stormwater management practices.
Government Regulation, Expenditures and Nutrient
Focus An investment of over $1.5 billion in
implementing this program over the past five years has enabled the Commonwealth to achieve significant reductions in nutrient loads discharged to the Chesapeake Bay from Virginia’s municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities.
I believe it will fail again because
No Ethical Responsibility Over reliance on government
solutions and regulation Local autonomy over land use “Land Improvements” are basis of
local tax code
Chief Joseph – Native American
I have carried a heavy load on my back ever since I was a boy. I realized then that we could not hold our own with the white men. We were like deer. They were like grizzly bears. We had small country. Their country was large. We were contented to let things remain as the Great Spirit Chief made them. They were not, and would change the rivers and mountains if they did not suit them.
Environmental Leadership Guidelines
Where there is the absence of clear guidelines on environmental priorities and ecosystem approaches to planning always favor the side of protection
Where there is clear guidance don’t change it to appease those who only profit from that change
Steps to an Ethical Revival
1. Recognize and Accept the Damage Has Been Done by us and Entities that Create Problems are Least Equipped to Fix them.
2. Recognize and Accept the Nature to Destroy
3. Demand that Preservation and Restoration must now be Greater than Taxation and Profit
4. Activate this Philosophy throughout the Community
5. Never Give Up and Thank Those Who Work!
What We are Trying to Do - Work of The Center for
Water Quality1. Emphasize Connections to the Land
and Deemphasize Government Solutions
2. Expand Watershed Planning to Adjacent Watersheds
3. Continued Research in the Watershed
4. Document Levels of Degradation5. Stream Protection, Restoration and
Mitigation