Potomac Riverkeeper Network and Shenandoah Riverkeeper called on the Department of Environmental Quality and Virginia Department of Health to expand water testing in the Shenandoah River and to develop enforceable standards for deadly cyanotoxins found in blue-green algae in the river, in response to the state’s issuance of its first ever public health advisory for the Shenandoah. Harmful algal blooms containing dangerous cyanobacteria led the state to warn people not to come in contact with a ten mile stretch of the river.
The health advisory, warning river users to avoid contact, and the data collected by state scientists supporting it, clearly show that the Shenandoah River’s health is at great risk, and now the public’s is as well. In fact, toxic cyanobacteria has been discovered; the danger of it cannot be overestimated. State regulators and lawmakers need the political will to take strong action before it’s too late and the river is permanently degraded. "We cannot allow that to happen, for the sake of this beautiful river and the valley communities it runs through," said Mark Frondorf, Shenandoah Riverkeeper.
... Potomac Riverkeeper Network also calls on lawmakers in Richmond to increase funding to DEQ and other agencies, to enact enforceable standards for toxic algae, hire staff to monitor water quality, assist farmers to adopt better practices and take action against polluters. Other stakeholder communities relying upon a clean, healthy river – such as outfitters, restaurants, campgrounds and lodging – should enjoy the same level of support for their business interests as farmers.
the "...ten mile stretch of the river..." referred to includes where the town's water intake for our drinking water is located. needless to say, residents of the town of strasburg are "stakeholders".
stakeholders, what do you know of the mayor's and town council's efforts to protect our drinking water? nada? (that's me. as usual, I've heard nothing from the town on the town's efforts to protect our drinking water.)
stakeholders, are you OK with this? are you OK with being "left in the dark" about what your elected town representatives are doing about this and other important issues that affect you? I'm not.
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