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New state stormwater rules could help clean Rappahannock River Date published: 8/20/2009
By RUSTY DENNEN After heavy rains, the Rappahannock River runs brown with runoff from farm fields, development sites, streets, parking lots and shopping centers. The result--besides erosion of the riverbank--is a toxic soup of pollutants such as fertilizer, heavy metals, antifreeze and petroleum products that harm water quality and aquatic life. While the Fredericksburg area has been making inroads in reducing the effects of stormwater pollution with the adoption of low-impact development ordinances, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation has drafted rules that proponents say will go further in cleaning up the Rappahannock, other tidal rivers and the Chesapeake Bay. John Tippett, executive director of Friends of the Rappahannock, has long been calling for more controls on stormwater runoff. To that end, FOR worked with Stafford County to develop its low-impact development ordinance that encourages builders to be river-friendly by adding development components that allow some of that water to soak into the ground. Fredericksburg, working with FOR, adopted a similar ordinance a few weeks ago. Spotsylvania County has similar rules, but with voluntary compliance. Tippett, who served on one of several technical committees that developed the proposed state rules, says more comprehensive controls are needed now. Tippett says Rappahannock feeder streams such as Hazel Run, Claiborne Run, Massaponax Creek, England Run and Little Falls Run, "have undergone some of the most rapid commercial and residential growth in the country. And I have watched these streams die." During a July public hearing in Richmond, Tippett said that summer thunderstorms are causing erosion and pollution of alarming magnitude. "Conventional stormwater management does not address this problem," he said. "The runoff-reduction approach of the proposed regulations does." The draft plan would require local stormwater programs in localities across the state. For now, only large counties and cities along the coast covered by the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act must have them. That doesn't include jurisdictions such as Fredericksburg, Stafford and Spotsylvania, which opted for controls on their own. The draft state plan includes fees to fund the programs, and stricter rules for cutting phosphorus on developed areas. Phosphorus, like nitrogen, is a serious pollutant because it promotes the growth of algae,
Date published: 8/20/2009
not stormwater runoff... just to be clear.
but I mostly agree with cstone. At this point, we're doing
more guessing about where the problems are and what it
will take to fix them.
I don't think we can accomplish much unless we do some
heavy duty water quality testing at many sites so that we
can start to get a more accurate picture of the problems.
Hydrilla - is a good thing - even though it is an invasive.
The river would be even worse off without it.
a federal study of mercury contamination released Wednesday that tested fish from nearly 300 streams across the country.
The toxic substance was found in every fish sampled, a finding that underscores how widespread mercury pollution has become.
Are are there consequences more vital more important that negate convenience of buying cheap toilet paper or finding a parking spot right next to the store?
is clogged with slimy algae and hydrilla this time of year, making it a disgusting mess for recreation and fishing, esp in low water levels. Can't be healthy for fish, shellfish either. Anyone seen any type of shellfish in the river lately? The Rapp was once known as the pearl of the East. Unless pearls are green, that is hardly true anymore. And I think the source of the problem is known, but not addressed. It can't be all attributed to builders.
efforts. I agree enforcement of what's already there is needed
before adding even more confusing, counterproductive
bureaucracy to the mix. Of course any comment against it will
be taken as anti-river. We already see that in Stafford.
Augustine had just as much or more inspections and scrutiny as anybody else, in fact, they installed above and beyond to address concerns brought up after the fact. They responsibly run builder. The citizens of AH were trying to hook Augustine for their own created woes. BTW, look at all the development and roads throughout the state that have no retrofitting for SWM. That is where the issues lie,not in new development. Look at the Rappa River Bridge for 95, Several sq. mi. of drainage straight to river
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