Fish are dying in the Shenandoah river. Why should you care?
The ripple effect may range from tourism to property values, and one concerned expert puts it this way, "Many Virginians can now say the tap water they mix with their orange juice travels through a place where overwhelming numbers of fish have died… and we don’t know why."
Add your thoughts and concerns to the conversation when we speak with those investigating the most recent Fish Kill in the Shenandoah River on Insight this Friday morning at 9, after Morning Edition. Call 888-WMRA-TALK during our live broadcast.
I was working at a company in Shenandoah County and they were painting the yellow lines on the floors in their shop with a highly toxic paint. They were washing out the paint brushes in the sink that was on a septic system. After seeing this I thought to myself, would it not be better to use some cheap brushes, let them dry out and throw them away. They were building some high dollar houses next door to this facility that were using wells for their water source. I am sure that this and other things have been going down that drain quite a few years.
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Linda
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Smallmouth bass and sunfish are again dying in the North Fork of the Shenandoah
Smallmouth bass and sunfish are again dying in the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Eighty percent of the adults of these species died in the North Fork in the spring of 2004 and in the South Fork in the spring of 2005. Unfortunately, the exact same phenomena is happening right now! Dead and dying fish with lesions have been found at several locations on the North Fork. Previously the fish kill went on for months, starting in April. These early deaths are a very poor sign for 2006.
The cause of these fish kills is unknown despite an initial investigation of the more common potential causes. Last year, the Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force was formed by the state to investigate the problem and develop a plan of action to determine the cause with more sophisticated research in water quality, disease, environmental contaminants, and environmental stress (See the attached project outline and budget.)
Some of the planned research is underway. Water and fish samples are being collected. The latest state budget caboose amendment and biennium budget for 2007-2008 have funds for fish kill research that will only cover the work this spring ($200K). Another $1.3 million is needed for remaining work in 2006, 2007 and 2008. Without more funds, work will halt or be greatly reduced and forced to end prematurely, endangering any definitive results and rendering current work inconclusive. The task force needs another $1.3 million to complete its work!
We ask that all legislators from the Shenandoah Valley join forces immediately to create and introduce a biennium budget amendment that will provide the urgently needed additional funds.
If you have any questions, please call either Mr. John Holmes (703-963-1665) or Dr. Bud Griswold (540-459-4313)
Board of Directors of the Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River – “. . . dedicated to protecting and enhancing the purity, beauty and natural flow of the North Fork, its tributaries, and its watershed” 540-459-8550 P.O. Box 746 Woodstock, VA 22664 www.fnfsr.org
Chemicals and bacteria from everyday household chores are entering the sewer systems and ground water, and eventually making it's way back to the rivers that our drinking water comes from. YUK! I know of a product which allows you to do your laundry without the need for detergents, bleach, or hot water, and leaves your clothing germ free, cleaner, and fluffier than with using harsh detergents. Saving the environment and $. Want to know more? www.laundryplus.com/efarrell