Fish kill task force expands investigation

The Virginia task force that began studying fish kills in the Shenandoah River system in 2005 has expanded its work to include the Cowpasture, Maury and upper James rivers. Fish that have either died or are ill have been observed in these rivers for the past several weeks.

The fish species mainly affected continue to be smallmouth bass and redbreast sunfish, though other types of fish have been found with sores. The task force, headed by the DEQ and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, is coordinating efforts with anglers, conservation organizations and university scientists to identify the location and extent of the fish kills.

In the past three weeks, the number of reports of distressed fish has continued to increase. On the James, the fish have been found as far downstream as Lynchburg. DEQ and DGIF biologists also are investigating new reports from Buena Vista on the Maury River and the mainstem Shenandoah River. More information is available on the DEQ website.

Bill Hayden, Central Office

Potomac landfill focus of Japanese documentary

The Potomac landfill in Prince William County is the focus of a documentary by a Japanese television network because of its potential applications to existing landfills overseas. A crew from the New York branch of the Nippon Television Network Corporation headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, interviewed Richard Doucette, waste program manager at the DEQ Northern Virginia Regional Office, in May. Noriaki Takada, the interviewer, asked about the proposed excavation and material recovery from the landfill. They discussed the permitting process and similar landfill removal projects (such as the Old King George Landfill). The network is interested in this project because of the limited amount of land in Japan and the future potential of this work for existing landfills in Europe and Asia.

Richard Doucette, Northern Virginia Regional Office

EPA begins cleanup at former recycling facility

Cleanup of used oil, oil filters and debris at a former oil recycling facility located in Hiltons is under way. DEQ and Virginia Department of Emergency Management representatives investigated a pollution complaint about the site in late May and found improperly stored aboveground storage tanks and drums, some of which contained a mixture of oil and water. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is taking the lead on the cleanup, which began June 6. It is estimated that more than 4,000 gallons of liquid will be removed from the site. More information is available on the EPA website.

Julia Wellman, Central Office

Richmond, Hampton Roads reach air quality goal

Air quality in Richmond and Hampton Roads has improved and now meets the federal air quality standard that protects people’s health from ozone pollution. In 2004, EPA decided that Richmond and Hampton Roads did not meet the federal ozone standard and designated them “nonattainment” areas. A review of air monitoring information shows that Richmond and Hampton Roads are meeting the eight-hour ozone standard. EPA now considers Richmond and Hampton Roads “attainment” areas. This redesignation by EPA includes the agency’s approval of an air quality maintenance plan submitted by DEQ, showing how Richmond and Hampton Roads will keep ozone levels low through 2018.

Julia Wellman, Central Office

Festival highlights natural resources

More than 340 Russell County sixth graders attended the Natural Resources Festival held May 29 at the Russell County Fairgrounds. The festival was coordinated by Angela White of the Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District. The educational stations covered a variety of topics, including the water cycle, bats and litter prevention. Participating agencies included the Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District, Upper Tennessee River Roundtable, Russell County Farm Service Agency, Russell County Farm Bureau Ladies Auxiliary, DGIF, Virginia Department of Forestry, Russell County Extension Service, Russell County Health Department, Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, Natural Resources Conservation Service and Cumberland Plateau Regional Waste Management Authority. The festival is supported financially through the Clinch Valley Soil and Water Conservation District and the DEQ Office of Ground Water Protection with a grant from EPA.

Mary Ann Massie, Central Office

Sixth graders study environment at park

More than 200 students from sixth grade classes at E. B. Stanley Middle School in Abingdon benefited from an environmental study performed at Sugar Hollow Park and led by DEQ personnel. Six groups measured the health of several habitats in the park including forestland, wetlands and a mountain stream. They charted biodiversity of the stream and observed various plants and animals along trails through the forest and wetlands. Additionally, they measured pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature and conductivity throughout the day in both a stream and a wetland area for comparison. The students used water monitoring equipment that was provided through a Virginia Naturally grant administered by the DEQ Virginia Office of Environmental Education, with the help of Ann Regn, Nancy Drumheller and Kristine Jarvis. DEQ representatives Teresa Frazier, Linda Stull, Judy Osborne and Chad Quesenberry participated in the study.

Craig Lott, Southwest Regional Office

Online features improve access to information

A server upgrade brought some important new features to the DEQ website in May – DEQcast and the Virginia Naturally Partners Database. Visitors to the website can now receive news and air quality information by email using a new public communications tool, DEQcast – Info on Demand. Members of the public can choose to receive updates on one or more topics, and additional topics are planned for the future. The Virginia Naturally Partners Database provides public access to a directory of environmental groups and educators. Website visitors can search for organizations by region, environmental topic, services provided and more. The directory is the most comprehensive listing of its kind in Virginia and will be a valuable resource for the environmental community.

Tony Gambone, Central Office

Water resources team takes USGS course

Members of the DEQ Water Resources Division completed a ground water field techniques course presented by the U.S. Geological Survey in Charleston, S.C., in May. The USGS course covered a range of topics including well construction and completion, well reconnaissance, and aquifer test procedures. Field exercises were conducted at a ground water research station with a production well and three monitoring wells. The course was a high priority for the Water Resources Division as the information obtained through field studies forms the basis for ground water withdrawal permits and supports management of ground water resources. The DEQ team that completed the training is currently working to assess the feasibility of developing and offering a similar course locally. DEQ attendees included Beverly Quinlan, Previn Smith, and Todd Beach from central office, and Rachel Borum and Brenda Brown from TRO. 

Brenda Brown, Tidewater Regional Office, and Todd Beach, Central Office

Tidewater celebrates Earth Day, Every Day

Celebrating a global commitment to protect the Earth’s finite resources for future generations, Earth Day, Every Day was held on May 6 at Mt. Trashmore Park in Virginia Beach. The Tidewater Regional Office participated in a day filled with nature and conservation-based exhibits, environmental activities and entertainment. TRO displayed various materials to provide the public with information on different programs within DEQ and how we can create awareness about the environment. Among the displays were a wetland diorama, a landfill model, an interactive underground storage tank diagram, a litter pizza and an anti-litter display. Volunteers included Brenda Brown, Suzanne Foxworth, Jennifer Howell, LeAnn Moran, Robin Schuhmann, Sarah Snyder and Debbie Thompson. 

Jennifer Howell, Tidewater Regional Office

Coastal magazine available online

The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program is pleased to announce that the Spring/Summer 2007 issue of the Virginia Coastal Zone Management magazine is now available on the DEQ website. Please be sure to read the article on land acquisition that highlights the program’s efforts to help meet Governor Kaine’s 2010 land conservation goal.

Virginia Witmer, Central Office

DEQ offers tips on managing waste after storms

June brings the start of the hurricane season in Virginia, and information is available on the DEQ website to help people prepare for what happens after a storm. Hurricanes and tropical storms may result in large amounts of debris and other solid wastes. Individuals and businesses can help local, state and federal authorities handle cleanup efforts by following a few tips when managing their wastes after a hurricane. 

• Plan for the disposal of wastes to the extent possible before taking action to clean up and remove debris.
• Source reduction and waste stream separation are not only strongly encouraged but also necessary in many cases. By disposing of damaged goods or materials and retaining or reusing undamaged goods, the disposal burden is reduced. 
• If goods or materials cannot be reused, recycling should be considered.
• Goods or materials may also be sent to a permitted resource recovery facility. If a resource recovery facility is not convenient to your location, transporting the material to an incineration facility for energy recovery is preferred over landfilling. 

Additional hurricane preparedness and cleanup information is available on the DEQ website. 

Shawn Davis, Central Office