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.
Sign Up for Clean the Bay Day
CBF Promotes Picking Up Pet Waste
to Reduce Pollution
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).
CBF STAFF
Join thousands of volunteers throughout Virginia on June 2 for CBF’s 24th annual Clean the Bay Day.