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| Pete Benedetto, Sr Conservation Tech with LFS&W district, assisted Joe Beckenstrater, Jr. & Joe Beckenstrater, Sr. with their award signs. |
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| Two Shenandoah County Farmers Recognized for their Outstanding Conservation Efforts
The Lord Fairfax Soil and Water Conservation District annually recognizes farmers throughout the four county district for their stewardship of soil and water resources. Joe Beckenstrater of Mt. Jackson and Keith Richards of Woodstock received awards from the Soil and Water Conservation District for their work to help protect the North Fork of the Shenandoah River from agricultural runoff and pollution. Projects undertaken by Mr. Beckenstrater and Mr. Richards include fencing livestock out of the streams that run through their farms.
Mr. Beckenstrater was also nominated by the Soil and Water Conservation District and received the 2009 Chesapeake Bay Clean Water Farm Award from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation. Only one farmer in each Soil and Water Conservation District can receive the Clean Water Farm award, which recognizes outstanding management practices that help conserve our natural resources.
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| Mary Gessner of FNFSR & Keith Richards installed the award sign at his farm. |
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Rain helps, but drought risk persists
Winchester Star, May 6, 2009
By Drew Houff
WINCHESTER — A wet start to May might signal some relief in the area’s drought conditions, but that could change quickly should the region experience more than a week without precipitation.
That harsh outlook remains the standard for the northern Shenandoah Valley, which had an unseasonably dry winter. Read more...
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| Leaning out over a railing, operator John Mayers samples the water from a sedimentation basin at the Percy Miller Water Treatment Plant. The plant, operated by the Winchester government, is in Warren County and draws water from the North Fork of the Shenandoah River |
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Water worries
Localities face more demand, limited supply
By Drew Houff
The Winchester Star
Winchester — As the area grows, so does its need for water. But water isn’t an unlimited resource.
The state government has imposed limits on the amount of water that can be drawn daily from the Shenandoah River.
Winchester’s aging pipes leak large amounts of water. Read more...
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| Champion of Environmental Stewardship |
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| When Jack Lorenz visited Hawaii in 2007, the trip completed his quest to fish in all 50 states. He was an early advocate of "catch and release." (Family Photo) |
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By Matt Schudel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Sunday, March 15, 2009; Page C08
Jack Lorenz, 69
Jack Lorenz, who became a nationally prominent advocate for nature preservation during 18 years as executive director of the Izaak Walton League, and who developed a code of ethics governing outdoor activities, died of a stroke March 2 at Scripps Mercy Hospital in San Diego, where he was visiting. He was 69 and lived in Woodstock, Va. Read more...
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nvdaily.com
Saturday, August 16, 2008
Study: Fish kills, herbicide possibly linked
By Robert King -- Daily Staff Writer
A recent study suggests a potential link between fish kills in the Shenandoah River and contaminants such as a common herbicide.
The study from the United States Geological Survey measured proteins found in fish samples taken from parts of the Shenandoah River. The study states that changes to fish immune systems are potentially related to long-term exposure to contaminants such as arsenic and herbicides, in addition to other factors. Read more...
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Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Scientists continue investigation of mysterious fish kills
By Robert King -- Daily Staff Writer
FRONT ROYAL — Chemicals such as ammonia and arsenic don't appear to be causing fish kills that have plagued the Shenandoah River since 2004, according to an official investigating the incidents.
But scientists aren't ruling out poor water quality just yet, cautioning an unknown combination of chemicals could be affecting fish. Read more...
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July 28, 2008 - 5:31am
Intersex fish: Causes may be many
WTOP - Washington,DC,USA
If it had not been caught in the Shenandoah River and anesthetized here at the US Geological Survey's fish lab, it would most likely have lived its full ... Read more...
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Study Links Industrial Contaminants to Shenandoah Fish Kills
July 29, 2008
Severe fish kill events in the Shenandoah River have been documented since 2004, but their cause has been difficult to uncover. Now, a new study using proteomics analysis has found particular impacts on fish immune systems, suggesting they are affected by long-term exposure to sublethal toxic substances. Read More...
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| The Morlyn Hills subdivision in Winchester is one of the sites for which builder Richmond American Homes has been fined by the EPA for stormwater runoff violations. Alan Lehman/Daily (Purchase photo) |
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EPA Stormwater Settlements Hit Home
Builders fined for runoff violations at area subdivision
By James Heffernan -- Northern Virginia Daily Staff Writer
A dozen area subdivisions are included in the settlements announced this week between the Environmental Protection Agency and four national homebuilders for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. Read More...
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