Federation Blog

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7_7p_wUbbAM&feature=youtu.be

 

A lot of political hay is being made these days about funding the cleanup of our local rivers and creeks, especially designated impaired waters like the South River.  Impaired water bodies are recognized by the US EPA for failing to meet very basic guidelines for human safety and/or biological production .  However, stopping the flow of pollution into impaired waters requires political will, regulatory vision, and of course, money.    The Anne Arundel County Council recently heard a bill that would fund the restoration of the County's waterways by levying a $25-35 stormwater fee on most landowners in the County.   The bill was withdrawn in the hopes that instead, the Maryland state legislature will decide to pick up the tab instead.  The reasoning? "It's just not a good time for a new fee in this county."

Of course, during our historically unprecedented 15 years of economic growth in Anne Arundel County from 1993-2008, it "wasn't a good time" either - a stormwater restoration bill was narrowly defeated by the Council and opposed by two County Executives during that era.   You see, despite record tax receipts and development rates, it wasn't "a good time" for a new fee or tax.  So when will it ever be "a good time" for such a fee to support critical restoration efforts?  Not until the day when our elected officials and regulatory appointees decide that cleaning up our water is important enough to get done. 

Anne Arundel's elected leaders, and Maryland's as well, are well known as being some of the most visionary and progressive in the nation when it comes to assessing and understanding environmental issues. But since stormwater and restoration funding seem to cause such consternation, perhaps our leaders should look at how other highly progressive, highly effective municipalities have successfully tackled the de-listing of their local waters:

Huntsville, Alabama (Flint River). Listed for unknown impairment in 1998, revised to organic pollution and dissolved oxygen deficiency in 2002, the Flint River was highly impacted by agriculture and urban runoff.   In just two years, the City of Huntsville and local Soil Conservation District allocated $300,000 to match a $250,000 EPA grant, and implement 2,000 acres of stormwater and agricultural best management practices in just two years.  Flint River was delisted from the Impaired Waters list in 2006.

Grant County, West Virginia (North Fork Potomac).  After the North Fork Potomac was listed in 1996 for fecal coliforms, the North Fork Watershed Association worked with EPA to establish a non-point TMDL in 1998.  The WV Governor's Office provided $45,000 , which was separate from a $250,000 line item appropriation from the state budget, $500,000 from the state's NRCS conservation allocation from USDA, and $1 million from EPA.  Over the course of just 8 years, this impressive show of funding translated into the installation of best management practices on 85% of properties in the watershed - incredible by any standard.  In 2008, the North Fork Potomac was delisted. 

Virginia Beach, Virginia (Lynnhaven River/Bay).  Failing septic systems, sewer overflows, stormwater management facilities, and boat pump-out practices contributed to the listing of the Lynnhaven River & Lynnhaven Bay as impaired for fecal coliforms in 1998.  The area was subsequently listed as impaired for purposes of shellfish harvest in 2002.  The City of Virginia Beach worked aggressively with EPA to establish non-point and point-source TMDL goals, which were approved in 2006.  Between 2006 and 2010, in this small watershed alone, the City of Virginia Beach spent nearly $5 million of municipal tax and fee monies on restoration projects, over $25 million of municipal fee monies on sewer connections and upgrades,  and focused City employee staff time on procuring millions of dollars in additional federal and state grants.   The shellfish harvest ban, in place for decades, began to roll back in 2007, and the watershed was partially delisted in 2010.  

Let's get local again.  Anne Arundel County is full of some of the nation's brightest, most innovative minds in municipal and state government.   But these same minds, who proudly acknowledge how important clean water is to them and their constituents,  have failed to make important commitments to clean water that fiscally conservative,  anti-regulation, and tax-averse areas like Alabama, West Virginia, and southern Virginia have made and kept. They, like our County's leaders, believed that clean water was important.  Unlike some of our County's leaders, those men and women took action. 

 I'd like to think that Anne Arundel County, and Maryland as a whole, can do better than northern Alabama and eastern West Virginia, but as we continue to debate whether we'll try to clean up the Bay's rivers by 2020, 2025....or maybe whenever our grandkids think "it's a good time," we can only hope to catch up to visionary leaders who advocate and act for clean water in other areas of the country, faced with water quality impairments. 

But saying that $25 is too much to pay to clean up 300+ years of watershed pollution? That's impaired judgment.

 

After a year of coping with the effects of three major rain storms, we were thrilled to end 2011 with the otter-ly fantastic news of a return of one of the River’s top predators. Even more exciting than sharing the news, was the response we got from our members! Coming with four reports, Gingerville Creek takes the lead in sightings followed closely by Beards Creek with three. Other sightings were reported in Duvall, near the mouth of the River past Cherrytree Cove, Glebe Bay, Harness Creek, Granville Creek, Flat Creek, and Boyd’s Cove. Below are excerpts from the many stories we received:

-Perhaps the most memorable experience came from a member that was fortunate enough to see an entire family of otters! “I have kayaked on the South River for 6 years and have seen river otters each and every one of those years...in fact, 4 years ago my friend and I were in the headwaters of Beard's Creek and not only did a large male otter swim across the front of our kayaks with a smaller (I assume the female) behind him and they were both hissing at us and not long afterwards, three small younguns swam between our kayaks, it seemed that they were either swimming extraordinarily close behind each other or swimming sort of piggyback and kept looking up at us and chirping...they were close enough that I could have reached down and picked one up. It was one of those special moments that I will never forget.”

– Sandy, Beards Creek -A longtime South River resident and avid fisherman finally got an up-close look at an otter just recently! “I have seen them numerous times over the last few years, but always from a distance. Every morning I run my dog to the river and back. Three days ago, I was down on the neighborhood pier, and out of the skim ice popped this guys head. It is the first time I have seen them up close, and they are a really unique and cool thing to see on our river.” – Nick, Davidsonville

-“I thought it was a seal the way it was swimming and playing until I got a closer look. I couldn't believe my eyes. Hope to see them again!” – Carol, Granville Creek - “It has been spotted a couple of times in the past few weeks as well as last year. We think it may "hide" at my waters edge. It seems to disappear into the underground tunnels.” – Theresa, Harness Creek

-It’s great to know they have been in some areas for so long! “We've had them in Boyd's Cove for years - didn't know it was a big deal!” – Marj, Boyds Cove

-Looks like the otters even appreciate the beauty of Quiet Waters Park! “I have seen otters in Loden Pond, near the South River Overlook at Quiet Waters Park, and in the pond between the Ice Rink and Lighthizer Gazebo” – Michael, Harness Creek

-He may not have seen an otter, but beaver sightings are just as great! While kayaking in Gingerville Creek, one member “discovered a beaver dam in the marsh at the head of the creek. It created a small, tranquil pond filled with ducks.” – Dwight, Gingerville Creek

The South River Federation would like to thank each and every person that took the time to report their sightings. If you see an otter or beaver, please do let us know! We did receive a concern over protecting koi ponds so that issue as well as more information about otters will be addressed in Part 3 of the series. But for now, we hope you enjoyed the stories from our watershed!

Photo Credits: Nick Serio, John Koontz, John Summers, and Erik Michelsen

Over the course of the past several years, Anne Arundel County Department of Public Works has been at the forefront of developing a plan to clean up local waters.  During the past year, Anne Arundel was one of two "pilot counties" (the other being Caroline) who shared their lessons learned with other counties around the state as they too developed their plans.

The plan focuses on tackling the three major sources of pollutants in Anne Arundel County: Wastewater treatment plants, septic systems, and urban stormwater.  I encourage you to check it out.

Anne Arundel County's Final Phase 2 Watershed Implementation Plan (WIP) [PDF]

Core Strategy Maps for each of the assessed watersheds in the County can be found here.

• South River Map [PDF]

 

For everyone who hasn’t been on the river for a few weeks, the first wintering waterbirds have arrived!   Surprisingly, they aren’t Canada Geese or Canvasbacks!

Photo by Michael Budd, USFWS

Say hello to the American Coot, a flock of which recently arrived on the South River, fresh from their breeding grounds in the prairies of south-central Canada.  They look, act, and feed a look like ducks, but technically they aren't ducks at all - they are rails - a group of native marsh birds.  They primarily migrate through North America's Central Flyway, although a few always make their way to coastal rivers like the South River. 

So why is this inlander here at all, and why should we care?  Wintering coots prefer open water, like that found on the South River, where they can spend their days hunting for small fish, snails, and algae to eat.  The Coot is known as a scrappy "survivor" of a bird that can withstand a wide variety of pollutants and other assorted natural and human sources of environmental stress. 

According to Michael Budd of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, whose expertise is marsh birds like the Coot, the presence of American Coots is important for two reasons.  According to Budd,  "because they are so durable as a species, coots are an important indicator species for river systems, and in many regions, scientists track their population numbers every year.  If the coot population were to decline for multiple years, it's an indication that conditions in the river and its wetlands are deteriorating - perhaps rapidly."

Photo by Michael Budd, USFWS

 Budd also stresses that, "if coots can no longer use a river system, we have a problem. It means that other marsh birds also have little or no chance of succeeding in the watershed, and conditions for migratory waterfowl species are probably deteriorating as well."

So if you see one of these funny gray birds this winter, know that you see a true survivor - and a bird who is depending on us to keep the South River cleaner than it is today.

 

This time of year, we allow our imaginations to roam wild with thoughts of ghosts, goblins, witches, and even zombies - all creatures of fantasy.  But what would do if you knew that the river at your doorstep flows thick with the remains of local residents who have come and gone in generations past?  Well, it's true.  I swear it is.

Unfortunately and in a morbid way, fortunately, these remains are  all in the chemical form.  Ethereal beasts like Trichloroethylene. Swamp Things like Polychlorinated biphenyls and Hexavelent chromium.  Cupric carbonate.  Algal available soluble phosphorus.  The Ghostbusters have nothing on these guys, who all flow through the South River, and not just on Halloween.    If the names of these ghosts are scaring you already, then you probably don't want to know what they can do to you, the river, and all of the wildlife who call the river "home." 

These chemical forms of the Undead share a dubious commonality - they are all here because once upon a time, nobody knew or cared how these compounds might impact the South River.   And so when South River residents in the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries were finished with these Frankensteinian formulations, they simply left them here.   Slowly but surely, like a monster movie's "toxic ooze," they've made their way from their burial sites, and are now entering the River.   These types of burials are not allowed any more, and in some cases were not allowed in the first place, but the damage has been done.

Some of you may remember the opening scene to 1983's Twilight Zone movie.  Remember the quote?  "Hey - do you wanna see something really scary?"  I'm here to ask you the same question about the South River's past lives.  My answer? What's really scary is that we have not yet seen the worst of the pollution that's waiting in the beautiful, forested headwaters of the South River and its tributaries.  In some cases, we don't even know what's coming next - some chemicals are buried in the proverbial "unmarked graves" - never issued any permits to open, dump, or close.  It just happened - and it's probably moving downhill right now. 

All this serves as a great reminder of the importance of actively observing and monitoring the river and its health - maintaining a real front line defense against the next chemical zombie to find its way down the hill and into your local forest, creek, or wetland.  The South River Federation and the South Riverkeeper maintain some of the most rigorous voluntary water pollution monitoring in Maryland, and as problem sites are identified in the watershed, we work aggressively within the community and with the appropriate government agencies to see that the proper investigation, assessment, and remediation are conducted.  We do it because it matters. And we do it because the South River deserves a future free of this legacy of ghosts.

This morning (Oct 7, 2011) I took my first flight in a small aircraft in 32 years. I rode with my collegue and board member Lynn Buehl over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge to the Bay Bridge Aiport and the whole drive I was fraught with excitment and trepedation. I always have been nervous about heights and have always been a nervous flyer. Lynn and I meet our pilot that flew down from New Jersey to take us on our adventure over the South River Watershed. Pilot Mr. Mike McNamara is one of many volunteer pilots for a non-profit group called LightHawk. This is a great organization set-up to provide flights to other non-profits or academics for research and advocay. I submitted a proposal to search for SAV, clean-water plumes, and 5 legacy landfills. As I first got in the plane, my thought was "oh my goodness, I am not going to make it". But, as we tore down the runway toward the Chesapeake Bay and delicately lifted off into the air and over the Bay Bridge- I became totally filled with excitement and started taking pictures. Being in a small plane over the Chesapeake Bay and the South River is indescribably amazing. I was horrified at the amounts of debris still in the Bay. Then, as we approach the South River- both Lynn and I became very distressed at how our beatiful South River looked. Sediment plumes and oil plumes everywhere- brown water all over. Then as week approached South River Farm Park, where Pam Wood of the Capitol and I kayaked looking for our Submerged Aquatic Vegetation- the planes wings tipped and there is was. Our SAV survived Hurricane Irene and Tropical Storm Lee!! What a blessing that our grasses survived such storms!! I am showing 300 pictures, and although I am not a professional photographer, I hope you enjoy them.----Diana, South Riverkeeper

From SRF Red Flag

Due to Hurricane Irene this past weekend - which dropped about 6 inches of rain on the South River watershed - causing the bacteria concentration to be at unsafe levels for swimming, we have put out our red "caution" flag at the office. If you see this red flag hanging from our office balcony, then the South River is generally unsafe for swimming.--Diana

#	Site	8/3/2011
SR1	Hillsmere Shores	20
SR2	Glen Isle Community Association	4
SR3	Harbor Hills Association	14
SR4	South River Manor	10
SR5	Pine Whiff Community Association	174
SR6	South River Park Comm. Ass.	110
SR7	Selby Community Association	140
SR8	Londontown Beach 5	44
SR11	Wilelinor Community Association	390
SR12	Shoreham Beach Citizens Association	144

 

As you drive ovet the South River bridge, you will notice a large Red Flag- this flag represents that the majority of the stations on the South River are high in bacteria

 

The bacteria results are very indicative of the rain event that we had yesterday morning coupled with the Canada Goose problem in a couple of communities.

Above is the Enterococci bacteria results from 8-3-2011 sampling, as per the EPA BEACHs Act guidance document and the Maryland Department of the Environment's bacteria sampling; the concentration must be lower 104 (cfu/100ml) colony forming units/100ml. The bacteria results for several areas are above the limit of 104 colony forming units/100ml. Please remember that the guidance the State of Maryland gives is that there should be no primary contact with the South River after a rain event such as the one earlier this week, so please everyone take the proper precautions, shower after swimming, cover or do not go into the river with open wounds. The most at risk are children, elderly, immune compromised, and pregnant.

On a separate note: As the temperature of the water increases Vibrio growth as well- there has been a case recently of a elderly man with a Vibrio infection last week. Please use caution when recreating in the South River. If you do acquire a suspicious infection, see your doctor immediately as it is important to treat this infection as quickly as possible. If you or someone you know happens to get sick or gets an infection as a result of swimming in the water, please let us know and fill out the attached form and return it to us. The AA County Health Department has a great fact sheet on Vibrio, which is attached. Vibrio is found naturally occurring in all waters, but as the temperature increases so does the concentration of this bacteria.

With the extremely hot temperatures bacteria concentrations may proliferate in areas that are already contaminated. Please, pick up your pet waste and do not feed the ducks or geese. Leaving the shoreline un-mowed and using items that are sparkly will deter the waterfowl from coming ashore causing the bacteria contamination.

Take Care Swimming or Recreating,

Sincerely,

Diana