River Ethics
June 4, 2008
What the North Fork of the Shenandoah River Means To Me.........
Jack Lorenz, the retired executive director of the Izaak Walton League of America, and a long-time board member of the Friends of the North Fork of the Shenandoah River moved to the Valley several years ago. When asked why someone who has fished in all 50 states would choose the North Fork as his river of choice for retirement, he answered, “I know many anglers who feel as I do and are working to make this historic and beautiful river one of the best fishing streams in Virginia-- a reputation it once had.”
"The key to a quality fishing stream is the quantity of unpolluted water it carries,” says this angler who has advised U.S. Presidents on his favorite topic of fishing. “The North Fork is troubled now but I know places on the river that, before the fish kills, produced catches of four-pound smallmouth bass. Jack, who has fished several national championship bass tournaments said, "To win those events, anglers simply had to know where to go, what time to be there and what lures to use. The same was true on the North Fork and will be again if we anglers take the responsibility to restore the river.
“Getting the North Fork back in fishable shape throughout its length is not going to happen overnight. It takes toughness, dedication and a willingness for every resident of the North Fork watershed to treat the river like the marvelous natural wonder that it is. Never, I mean never, think of our river as simply a big sewer put there to carry our trash. Anglers, as well as all residents and visitors, must help restore the North Fork."
Threats to the North Fork….
While volunteers from Friends work on the ground to clean up trash (11,460 pounds removed from the watershed since 2004), we also work to counter threats to the river's health. Trash is a visible, ugly and dangerous problem, but other, invisible substances are wreaking havoc with our river. These include chemicals and animal waste that flow indirectly into the river from streets, parking lots and fields. Other substances such as sewage, nitrates and phosphates, hormones and antibiotics flow directly into the river from sources such as sewage treatment plants. Unfortunately, as the River faces these challenges, Virginia's Department of Environmental Quality recently proposed regulations that would relax the water quality standard for bacteria levels (fecal coliform) in Virginia's streams and rivers. Friends opposed the state's proposal. If the bacteria levels are relaxed, people using state waters for fishing and swimming will have an increased risk of infection and illness. It will also affect wildlife since bacterial infections have been identified as a contributing factor in the fish kills we have had since 2004. Rather than moving in a more protective direction for water quality, the proposed changes would be a definite step backward in assuring clean water for the citizens of Virginia, not to mention fish and aquatic life.
What Does the North Fork Mean to You and How Can You Help?
Whether you enjoy spending the day on the river, simply viewing its winding path through the Valley, or your drinking water comes from the North Fork, the River likely holds a special place in your heart, much as it does in Jack's. You can help protect the river's health and beauty by volunteering to take part in river clean ups or picking up trash as you take a walk. Most importantly, become informed about and involved in the decisions being made at local and state government levels that affect our river. For the river to be a high priority, our elected officials must know that you are concerned. Also, you can join Friends and become one of over 400 members making a difference. Please visit our website - www.fnfsr.org - for more information or call or email us with your questions, to volunteer or become a member at 540-459-8550 or friends@shentel.net.
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