Save the Bay - Spring 2012

Virginia Trading Approved

Before adjourning from regular session on March 10, the Virginia General Assembly passed legislation that expands Virginia’s pol-lution-trading program to allow more participants and ensure greater accountability and transparency. CBF supported the legislation, believing it has the potential to help localities more cost-effectively meet Virginia’s Bay clean-up goals. CBF will monitor develep-ment of regulations to ensure they also protect local water quality.

Also approved by the General Assembly was legislation that will result in less nitrogen runoff from lawn fertilizers. The Chesapeake Bay Commission championed this measure with CBF and estimates that it will reduce annual nitrogen runoff to the Bay by more than 160,000 pounds.

Lafayette oyster restoration
supports Elizabeth
River Project goals.
Coal Plant Fight Continues

If built, the ODEC plant in Dendron, Virginia, would
be the state’s largest coal-fired power plant.

ISTOCK

Lafayette Oyster Survey
is Encouraging

CBF oyster experts have surveyed 29 miles of Lafayette River shoreline in Norfolk to determine a baseline approximation of the river’s oyster population. Survey results suggest the Lafayette has a relatively robust oyster population. The information gives CBF the green light to build upon ongoing restoration efforts, including installing oyster reef balls, adding oysters to sanctuary reefs, building new reefs, and increasing the number of volunteers to grow oysters in this urban river.

A renewed interest in restoring Lafayette oysters and a larger initiative with the Elizabeth River Project to make the river swimmable and fishable by 2014 triggered the need for the oyster survey in advance of new restoration projects.

CBF anticipates that Virginia’s General Assembly will reconvene later in April and approve a budget for the state.

CBF and its allies continue to fight an Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC) proposal to build Virginia’s largest coal-fired power plant in the town of Dendron in Surry County, not far from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The Dendron town council approved rezoning for the plant for a second time in March. Plant opponents, however, gained a victory when the board of supervisors in neighboring Isle of Wight County voted 3-2 to reaffirm that county’s opposition to the proposed plant, despite pressure from Surry County and ODEC to change its stance.

CBF kicked off a series of educational “dog walks” in the Upham Brook watershed (Richmond/Henrico County) this spring to help alert pet owners to the importance of picking up and properly disposing of pet waste to protect water quality.

Participants received an informative brochure and a stocked doggie poop bag holder that attaches to their pets’ leashes for easy access. “Scoop the Poop” participants were also encouraged to take other personal actions aimed at reducing pollution in Upham Brook, an urban Chesapeake Bay headwater stream.

CBF continues to encourage other localities to oppose the plant, which would pose significant environmental, health, and economic threats to the Hampton Roads region.

Registration is open for CBF’s 24th annual Clean the Bay Day, June 2, 2012, at sites throughout Virginia. The cumulative impact of removing debris in Virginia’s waterways benefits wildlife, people, and the economy. Join us at clean-up sites throughout Virginia. The event is suitable for all ages. Individuals and groups are welcome. uFor more information or to register for CBF’s 24th annual Clean the Bay Day event, visit cbf.org/clean, e-mail ctbd@cbf.org, or call 800/SAVEBAY. uFor more information about these and other Virginia activities, visit cbf.org/virginia.

The effort is part of public-private community partnership targeting Upham Brook that also includes innovative stormwater runoff projects, rain gardens, floating wetlands, pet waste stations, streamside vegetated buffers, stream and roadside cleanups, invasive species removal, and citizen watershed stewardship. The project is funded by a grant from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF).