Pollution has been reduced, but there's still a ways to go
Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 - 12:08 AM Updated: 08:37 AM
By REX SPRINGSTON
TIMES-DISPATCH STAFF WRITER
We have done only half of what's needed to make the James River healthy, a new report says.
The James River Association, an environmental group, released the "State of the James River 2007" report yesterday.
The report calculated that a decades-long restoration of the James is 52 percent complete.
GOOD NEWS
The state has done a lot to reduce pollution from sewage-treatment plants and factories, the report said.
BAD NEWS
Much more must be done to reduce polluted storm-water runoff from farms, yards and streets. The runoff carries waste and soil that foul the river.
A CRITICAL MOMENT
"The James River is at a tipping point," said Bill Street, the river group's director. "Without strong and continued action, the mighty James will once again fall into decline."
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Limit the amount of fertilizer you use on yards. Also, use rain barrels and water-absorbing gardens to reduce runoff from your yard.
WHAT GOVERNMENT CAN DO
Provide more money for programs that limit polluted runoff, and allow developers to build in ways -- less asphalt in parking lots, for example -- that limit runoff.
RIVER INDICATORS
Here are scores for some river-health indicators listed in the report. The percentages represent progress toward restoration goals.
Bald eagles: 100 percent. They have made a huge comeback in the past 30 years, largely because of the banning of pesticides that tainted the fish they ate.
Oysters: 5 percent. Pollution, overharvesting and disease have decimated the tasty shellfish.
Underwater grasses: 38 percent. The grasses, which provide homes for crabs, waterfowl and young fish, get killed by pollution.
Riverside forests: 73 percent. Forests shelter wildlife and limit runoff pollution.
Tidal water quality: 48 percent. Health advisories warn people about eating fish from 95 percent of the tidal James. The river is OK, however, where it is used for drinking water.
Contact Rex Springston at (804) 649-6453 or rspringston@timesdispatch.com.