Audio of this episode removed 6-17-13; please contact Virginia Water Radio to request access to the audio file.
NEWS
- A February 2010 report from the Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service at UVA assessed the economic impacts of expenditures on agricultural Best Management Practices (BMPs) needed to achieve goals of the 2005 Commonwealth of Virginia Chesapeake Bay Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Strategy. The study, requested by the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, estimates that $804 million would be needed to implement the recommended BMPs. Typically such practices involve 75% of public money and a 25% landowner cost-share, so the public cost is estimated at $603 million and the private share at $201 million. The report estimates that this investment would result in $940 million of "total industrial output" and would generate over 11,000 jobs. The report title is Economic Impacts of Implementing Agricultural Best Management Practices to Achieve Goals Outlined in Virginia's Tributary Strategy.
- Maryland officials have been expressing opposition to Virginia-based AES Corporation’s proposal to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Baltimore County, Maryland, with an 88-mile pipeline to Pennsylvania. As part of this opposition, on March 2 Maryland’s two U.S. senators joined with senators from Connecticut, Oregon, and Washington in co-sponsoring legislation that return to states the authority for citing liquefied natural gas terminals. The 2005 Energy Policy Act gave that authority to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). As of 3/5/10, the legislation-Senate Bill 3056-had been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- As reported by the Charlottesville Daily Progress, the Virginia Trout Stream Sensitivity Study is planning its third regional study on the effects of acidic deposition and other factors that affect water quality and habitat in Virginia's native trout streams. Previous surveys were conducted in 1987 and 2000. The 2010 survey will be conducted with the assistance of Trout Unlimited and other volunteer organizations. About 458 stream sites will be sampled in 34 counties during the last seven days of April 2010. Volunteer sample collectors are needed. For more information or to volunteer, phone Rick Webb at (540) 468-2881.
- According to the Newport News Daily Press, on March 10 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration formally proposed the Loggerhead Turtle for the federal Endangered Species List. The proposal, up for public comment until June 14, would put the species on the list by summer 2011. The species has been listed as "threatened" since 1978; while populations increased after that listing, a steady decline began in the 1990s. Reasons for the decline are not clear but are thought to include boat strikes, entrapment in fishing gear, and loss of nesting habitats in Florida. Loggerhead Turtles are found worldwide, and several thousand enter the Chesapeake Bay each summer.
WATER SOUNDS AND MUSIC
This week we feature another Virginia water musical selection: “James River Blues” performed by Old Crow Medicine Show from their 2006 album, “Big Iron World.”
The song (in its second verse) alludes to the bateaux, or flat-bottom boats, that once carried crops and goods across Virginia on the James River canal from the late 1700s to early-1800s. But in the 1830s rail transportation took over and the Richmond and Allegheny Railroad was built along the footpath of the James River canal. For more information about Virginia canals and canal boats, visit the Virginia Canals and Navigation Society Web site at http://vacanals.org.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
First, in government policy and regulatory meetings:
- On March 30, the State Water Control Board Advisory Committee on the General permit for Nitrogen and Phosphorus Discharges and Nutrient Trading in the Chesapeake Bay, meets in Glen Allen. For more information, phone George Cosby at 804-698-4067.
- On March 31, the Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee meets in Rocky Mount. For more information, phone Tammy Stephenson at 540-562-6828.
- And on April 1, the State Water Control Board’s advisory committee on Eastern Virginia Groundwater Management Area regulations meets in Williamsburg. For more information phone Melissa Porterfield at 804-698-4238.
- On March 29, in Martinsville, on the TMDL for the Smith River watershed in Henry County. For more information, phone Mary Dail at 540-562-6715.
- Through March 31st, the Charlottesville Community Design Center is showing “Our Water, Our Future,” an exhibit on the area’s 50-year water supply planning process. For more information, phone 434-984-2232.
- On Apr. 6-8, in Lexington, Virginia Military Institute will hold its 21st Annual Environment Virginia Symposium. For more information, phone Major Amy DeHart at (540) 464-7740.
This week's show was written by Danielle Guerin. Show notes and production assistance were provided by Patrick Fay. Technical assistance was provided by Innovation Space at Virginia Tech.
Opinions expressed on this show are not necessarily those of the Water Center, Virginia Tech, or this station.
If you need more information about anything mentioned this week, call us at (540) 231-5463, or visit our NEW Web site at www.virginiawaterradio.org.
