EPA begins cleanup of 'Puddingland' site

DEQ staff members Heather Roy and Brandon Luck assist EPA during drum sampling at the Puddingland site in Lancaster County.

The U.S. Environmental Protection agency began the removal of more than 1,000 drums in February from a forested dump site in Lancaster County.

Some of the drums and surrounding soils contain elevated levels of chemical contaminants that are found in creosote or coal tar. The site is called “Puddingland” because of the spongy nature of the ground.

In August 2006, DEQ’s Piedmont Regional Office received a complaint about the site. DEQ conducted an initial investigation and reported the findings to EPA. EPA is now leading the cleanup effort with assistance from DEQ’s Site Assessment Program. EPA expects the cleanup to take between three to six months. More information is available on EPA’s website.

Devlin Harris, Site Assessment Program, Central Office

Virginia focuses fish kill investigation efforts

DEQ and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, along with their partners on the Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force, have focused their research and monitoring efforts to address the most likely causes of the fish kills that have occurred in the Shenandoah River watershed each spring since 2004.

Dr. Greg Garman of the Virginia Commonwealth University Center for Environmental Studies and Dr. Donald Orth of Virginia Tech have offered recommendations on which efforts to continue after analyzing past studies. Based on these suggestions, DEQ and DGIF will pursue a research and monitoring plan that includes studies in three key areas: fish health and disease, evaluation of key pollutants and water quality monitoring.

The task force, led by DEQ and DGIF, has conducted a number of investigations into water quality and fish health since 2004. Preliminary results from these studies suggest that multiple stress factors affecting fish may be involved. The latest efforts build upon this work.

Don Kain, Water Monitoring and Compliance, Valley Regional Office

Virginia Green Lodging honors new participant

Long Hill owners Rhoda and George Kriz hold a plaque recognizing their participation in the Virginia Green Lodging program.

DEQ’s  Office of Pollution Prevention recently recognized Long Hill Bed and Breakfast in Winchester as the newest Virginia Green Lodging participant. Virginia Green Lodging is a voluntary program that encourages hotels and other hospitality facilities to reduce their effects on the environment.

Built in 1973, Long Hill is itself a recycled facility because it was constructed using building materials salvaged from two century-old log houses, abandoned chimneys and barn foundations. Owners Rhoda and George Kriz have continued this conservation ethic by reducing their environmental impacts in day-to-day operations by recycling, using energy and water conserving appliances, composting, and growing and eating their own vegetables.

Virginia Green Lodging is supported by DEQ, the Virginia Tourism Corporation and the Virginia Hospitality and Travel Association. Participants are required to certify that they meet the program’s core activities by offering optional linen services and provisions for "green events," recycling and implementing water and energy conservation measures. 

Tom Griffin, Pollution Prevention, Central Office

Virginia Beach infuses cleanup plan with innovation

Virginia Beach is implementing a plan, approved by DEQ, to improve water quality in the Lynnhaven, Broad and Linkhorn bays with innovative approaches and technology.

The Lynnhaven, Broad and Linkhorn bays are impaired because bacteria levels in water samples are higher than the allowable amounts. DEQ, the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission and Virginia Beach completed a cleanup plan in June 2006 to reduce bacteria levels in the bays, and Virginia Beach has been implementing measures since then to reduce pollution.

Numerous significant projects are under way or planned. They include:

• Installing anti-microbial mats (called centipedes) inside storm water pipes to reduce bacteria levels in the water passing over them.
• Starting a $4.6 million effort to retrofit many of its sewage pump stations with generator hookups and electric generators that will allow city crews to provide auxiliary power when severe storms cause power disruptions.
• Undertaking a boater pump-out program for the Lynnhaven River watershed in partnership with the Hampton Roads Sanitation District.

Chet Bigelow, Watershed Programs, Central Office

West Central staff judge science fair

West Central Regional Office staff members were invited along with individuals from the education and industrial fields to assist in judging the annual Roanoke County Regional Science Fair in February. Judging the science fair has become a regular event for several of WCRO staff members. This type of educational outreach reinforces an interest in the science fields for middle school and high school students. DEQ staff members use their educational backgrounds and skills in technical and science fields to judge the entries. Roanoke Public Schools employees extended their appreciation to DEQ’s Gerald Duff, Paul Jenkins and Jeffrey Hurst for volunteering their time on a Saturday to judge the competition. The students, teachers and administration valued their expertise and suggestions.

Jeff Hurst, Remediation, West Central Regional Office