Erosion and sedimentation controls, Moore’s Creek.
I wonder what the run-off volume from this project into the creek was last weekend?
2011/04/18
2011/03/23
high voltage
Transmission lines from the Brayton Point power plant where they cross I-195, west of Fall River
2011/01/12
closed cycle cooling system
The Brayton Point Station power plant, located on the shores of Mount Hope Bay, is the largest fossil-fuel burning power plant in New England.
2010/11/09
Jack Aubrey would be proud
Dawn on the cul de sac. No traffic. Leaving at 700hrs for Charlottesville.
Tonight the Charlottesville Planning Commission continues their discussion regarding the protection of critical slopes and green infrastructure. The health of the Rivanna River watershed and its inhabitants is affected by this discussion. Consider attending, the discussion will be in a “workshop” format, public input is encouraged.
2010/11/08
Fort Macon, Cow Island, Terns?
1/400th of a second and their wings still blur.
Communicate with Virginia and the EPA about the waters of Virginia with this form letter, courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The EPA’s public comment period for the draft Chesapeake Bay TMDL closes in thirteen hours (Midnight, November 8). Virginia’s comment period closes November 11.
The water above, Beaufort Inlet Channel, NC.
Driving later today to Emory’s promotion at Cherry Point MCAS.
2010/11/05
State Water Control Law
It seems harsh to say that political leaders don’t give a rip about the quality of our physical environment. But how else can you explain the condition of Virginia’s streams and rivers?
In 1950, the Virginia General Assembly added the Water Control Law to the State Code.
The short title of this chapter is the State Water Control Law. It is the policy of the Commonwealth of Virginia and the purpose of this law to:
(1) protect existing high quality state waters and restore all other state waters to such condition of quality that any such waters will permit all reasonable public uses and will support the propagation and growth of all aquatic life, including game fish, which might reasonably be expected to inhabit them;
(2) safeguard the clean waters of the Commonwealth from pollution;
(3) prevent any increase in pollution;
(4) reduce existing pollution;
(5) promote and encourage the reclamation and reuse of wastewater in a manner protective of the environment and public health; and
(6) promote water resource conservation, management and distribution, and encourage water consumption reduction in order to provide for the health, safety, and welfare of the present and future citizens of the Commonwealth.
Communicate with Virginia and the EPA about the waters of Virginia with this form letter, courtesy of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
The public comment period ends November 8 (EPA) and November 11 (Commonwealth of Virginia).
2010/11/04
trickle down
I am keeping a list of our home-grown Cassandras, that valiant bunch with a knack for prophecy, citizens looking a few months ahead.
With one exception (Charlottesville Tomorrow), local media have shown little interest in this acronym laced, Chesapeake Bay “environmental” story. TMDLs, WIPs. Ho-Hum. Complicated. Who cares?
The information is beginning infiltrate into politicians’ craniums via multiple public meetings where the Cassandras stand up and sing. Government staff “get” the import of pending events, but until voters shriek and wail, no action will be seen from elected leaders.
For citizens wishing to weigh in, write a letter to the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
Ask the DCR to craft a Watershed Implementation Plan that “gets it done”. The WIP must provide the EPA with details, legislative proposals, reasonable assurance…
The public comment period for the draft Virginia Watershed Implementation Plan closes a week from today.
(Notes: audio clip is CHO Planning Commission Chairman Jason Pearson at that body’s October 12, 2010 meeting. Water up top, Rappahannock River, politicians, Albemarle County Board of Supervisors Ken Boyd and Duane Snow.)
2010/10/18
Clean water
Rapidan River, near Somerville’s Ford, Virginia.
Audio above, Bob Koroncai speaks at EPA public hearing in RIC, October 6, 2010 regarding detail the EPA hopes the Bay watershed states will provide.
Send a letter to Governor McDonnell, ask the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide adequate pollution diet detail to the EPA.
2010/10/13
outfall
Thirty-six inch culvert one of three channeling runoff from 10 acre impervious area into Charlottesville impaired waterway, Moores Creek
Paradigm Shift
But, we've always done it this way.
Time to start the planning to do it another way.
J. Michael Flagg, Hanover County Public Works Director, spoke at the EPA's Chesapeake Bay TMDL meeting in Richmond, October 6, 2010
Send a letter to Governor McDonnell urging him to craft a watershed implementation plan with substance. If the EPA doesn’t receive an actionable and adequate plan written by our State, the EPA will craft the plan, an outcome no one wants.
2010/10/12
I want to be able to see my feet
The MP3 above was recorded at the EPA’s public hearing on the Chesapeake Bay TMDL in Richmond, Wednesday October 6, 2010.
Public comments at these hearings are great, but they are not entered into the formal record as the EPA and the Commonwealth of Virginia work toward finalizing the Chesapeake Bay watershed “pollution diet”.
Public comment is being received, evaluated and recorded by the EPA. Please write them and tell them what you think. Hopefully we will live long enough to see our feet.
While you are at it, save a copy of your comments and email them to Virginia’s Governor Bob McDonnell.
