|
A Question of Drinking Water.....
Friends Unveils Brochure and Website
|
|
|
Friends’ alarm regarding the soup of chemicals flowing into the River on
a daily basis has culminated in the development and distribution of an
informational brochure explaining our concerns about the potential
impact of these chemicals on aquatic life and human life as well.
Friends’ concern for the health of the North Fork peaked in 2004 when
large scale and unexplained fish kills began to occur on an annual
basis. Smallmouth bass are also displaying suppressed immune systems and
populations of male smallies contain immature eggs in their testes
(intersex). In response to these fish health problems, Friends sampled
for trace organic chemicals in the river in the spring of 2007.
Fifty-nine manmade organic chemicals, in- cluding pesticides,
polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aro- matic hydrocarbons
(PAHs), pharmaceuticals, hormones, and caffeine were found in the North
Fork. Samples were also evaluated for the presence of chemicals that
imi- tate estrogen. That testing showed a high level of endo- crine
interference for the mixture of manmade chemicals found in our samples.
Since our study in 2007, the United States Geological Survey has
published its own studies looking at raw source water and finished
drinking water for popula- tions depending on the Potomac River for
their drinking water.
|
USGS studies found similar chemicals to those that Friends discovered in
the North Fork in both the raw water from the Potomac and treated, or
finished water, used by hundreds of metro Washington area resi- dents.
In other words, USGS found that conventional drinking water treatment
does not remove all of the chemicals that Friends found in the North
Fork. Towns throughout the watershed, including Broadway, Woodstock, and
Strasburg, as well as the City of Winchester pull their drinking water
from the North Fork of the Shenandoah River. Friends shares a growing
concern in the scientific community that certain of these manmade
organic chemical, even at very low levels, may be harmful to human and
animal health. Current drinking water standards do not reflect an
adequate understanding of the impact of these chemicals on our endocrine
and immune systems. Further, current drinking wa- ter standards do not
address the cumulative effect of the multiple chemicals that may be
present in drinking water. Friends published our brochure to air our
concerns about these chemicals and to provide suggestions for what each
of us can do to address this situation.
|
|
|
|
Here’s what you can do right now:
- Support actions at the local, state and national levels to reduce
the use of pesticides by farmers and lawn care professionals and support
programs to prevent the runoff of these chemicals into the river;
- Ask the USA EPA to research the effects of low level manmade
chemicals in our water;
- Ask EPA to reconsider the current drinking water standards so that
our drinking water suppliers know what standards must be met to provide
healthy water to all of us; Ask your drinking water supplier to test
periodically for manmade chemicals using methods with the lowest
possible detection limits and share the findings with customers;
- Take action in your own life to keep manmade chemicals out of the
river:
- Avoid using anti-microbial cleaners and soaps or harsh chemicals
around the house. Even though they may go to a sewage treatment plan,
some residuals can end up in the river;
- Support drug take back programs by manufacturers and pharmacies.
Dispose of unused drugs and chemicals in the landfill rather than
flushing them down the toilet;
- Reduce the use of herbicides and other pesticides in your yard;
- Consider home treatment of your drinking water to remove manmade
chemicals;
- Become an active member of the Friends of the North Fork!
Please visit www.fnfsr.org or email clean.water@fnfsr.org
to learn more.
|
North Fork Exploration 2010
Professional Development for Shenandoah County Teachers**A Wonderful Success**The combined efforts of
partners, volunteers, board members, and staff resulted in a successful
venture into the area of professional development for K-12 teachers in
the North Fork watershed. Twelve enthusiastic Shenandoah County teachers
participated in a three day workshop that included a canoe trip from
the Deer Rapids bridge to the Strasburg Town Park. Staff with the
Chesapeake Bay Foundation led this trip and did a fantastic job of
explaining the North Fork’s role in the larger Chesapeake Bay Water-
shed. The second day involved a fish shocking demonstration by Paul
Bugas and staff of the Dept. of Game and Inland Fisheries. We were
joined by a group of students in a summer enriched academy as well.
Other field trips were to Mr. Joe Beckenstrater’s farm near Mt. Jackson,
where there are many agricultural best management practices in use, we
stopped at the landfill where Brad Dellinger gave us a very informative
tour, and we visited the Woodstock Sewage Treatment Plant where Gary
Richmond provided a lot of information about Woodstock’s brand new
treat- ment plant. The final day of the workshop focused on the
resources available to help teach about water health. Kara Bates
explained our watershed model and other opportunities for teachers,
Stephanie Bushong talked about water and the US Forest Service, Nancy
Carr presented a model of functioning and malfunctioning home septic
systems, Cindy Frenzel presented what Friends has to offer teachers and
Board member Barbara Halvorson presented numerous resources available on
the internet and talked about the Wikispace she created for the
teachers to use. Teachers also used the 3rd day to begin to develop
river and water related lesson plans for the coming school year. Some
great ideas emerged and we are eager to see how these ideas develop when
we meet again in the spring of 2011 for a follow up and evaluation. We
will be creating a space on our website for the lesson plans and
projects developed as a result of this effort. Friends would like to
thank the teachers for their efforts and everyone that contributed to
this fantastic experience.
|
Volunteer Job Notice!!
Friends is looking for a volunteer office assistant who would be willing to work 8-10 hours per week at our office in Woodstock . Primary duties include data entry, office organization and management, mailing out thank-you letters, filing, and membership mailings. Please call Leslie at 540-459-8550 or email leslie.watson@fnfsr.org for more information.
|
Workshops
Make Your Own Rain Barrel
Last Chance in 2010 -
Be ready for Spring Rains in 2011!!
********
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 6:30pm
Location: New Market Town Park.
Workshop begins at 6:30pm - signs will direct you to a picnic shelter.
Cost: $39 for members; $49 for non members.
PLEASE wear old clothes and bring gloves.
********
Make and Take Your Own Healthy Home Products and Gifts
Wednesday, November 3, 2010 - 6:30pm
Location: Fort Valley Nursery, Woodstock, VA
Cost: $10 for FNFSR members, $15 non-members
IMPORTANT -you must register with the Shenandoah County Parks and Recreation Dept.
Please visit www.scpr.info or call their office at 540- 984-3030 in order to register.
|
Friends’ 6th Annual Fish Fry FundraiserOctober 9, 2010
from 2-5pm at the National Guard Armory in Woodstock, VA.Please Help Friends Protect the North Fork!
Our 6th Annual Fish Fry will be held at the National Guard Armory from 2-5pm on Satur- day October 9. The Fish Fry will be centered around an auction of fabulous hand-made wooden benches crafted by John Coleman and Dennis Fowler and decorated by local artists from throughout the North Fork wa- tershed. This is going to be an exciting after- noon to spend with friends, to eat great food from Shaffers and to help Friends protect the North Fork! You can sponsor the Fry or buy tickets at our website www.fnfsr.org call us at the office or mail in your request. Invitations will go out in early September. See you there!
|
North Fork NewsBig Turn-out at Biosolids Public Hearing
More than 65 people turned out for a Public Hearing regarding the potential spread of out-of-state sew- age sludge (bio- solids) in Shenandoah County. More than twenty individuals (including Friends’ members and county officials!) spoke factually and eloquently against the draft permit. It was an impressive turnout that was well received by Shelton Miles, the Chairman of Virginia’s citizen lead State Water Control Board. The Control Board will make its final decision on whether or not to grant Recyc’s permit request on September 27. Representatives from Friends will be present to testify against the permit at this hearing as well. Friends will also participate in the development of new sludge regulations. We hope to be able to gain greater protection for the karst areas of the watershed and state.
|
 |
| A member of Friends speaks against the draft permit. |
|
|
NOTICE!!!Completed Rain Barrels are for sale at Natural Art Garden Center
ALL Sales go to Friends Special thanks to Lynne Phillips at NAGC! ************** Also, special thanks to Rodney Shepherd and Woodbury Financial Services of Mt. Jackson for sponsoring the rain barrel workshops in 2010!
|
| August 28- Sept. 4 |
Visit Friends at the forest Service Cabin
at the Shenandoah County Fair
|
Sept. 8
|
Last Rain Barrel Workshop of 2010
6:30 p.m. New Market Town Park
|
Sept 18
|
Visit Friends at the Edinburg Ole' Time Festival
|
Oct. 9.
|
Friends 6th Annual Fish Fry
|
Oct. 16
|
Friends Cleanup with help from EarthKorps!
|
Nov. 3
|
Friends Make & Take Healthy Home Products and Gifts
6:30 p.m. Fort Valley Nursery
|
Nov. 13
|
Friends Cleanup with help from EarthKorps! |
| |
|
|
|
![]()
|
|
|
|
