Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced it has awarded DEQ $1.73 million to retrofit heavy duty diesel engines in public fleets, transit buses and off-road construction equipment in the Portland metropolitan area and Lane County. The funding comes thanks to the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009.
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By: Oregon DEQ News
WDNR West Central Region - EAU CLAIRE - The state Department of Natural Resources will hold two public open house meetings to initiate a master planning process for the Lower Chippewa River State Wildlife and Natural Area …
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By: Wisconsin DNR News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009
Contact: Bill Hayden, DEQ
(804) 698-4447
wphayden@deq.virginia.gov
RICHMOND, VA. — The Department of Environmental Quality and the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries are directing ongoing scientific studies this year in preparation for potential fish kills. Spring 2009 investigations will focus on weekly observations, continued fish health evaluations and in-depth study of possible bacterial causes of the kills.
Since 2004, unexplained fish kills have occurred in the Shenandoah River basin. During 2007 and 2008 similar events took place in the upper James and Cowpasture rivers. No kills have been observed in these rivers in 2009, though April and May are the most likely time for occurrences.
The kills are most severe among smallmouth bass and sunfish, but other types of fish also have been affected. Many of these fish develop skin lesions before dying. Other fish, though, have only fungal infections and many have died without any visible skin lesions. The fish kills have begun in the spring when water temperatures rise above the mid-50s and generally have run from early April until mid-May.
A detailed summary of findings through the 2008 fish kill season is available on the DEQ website at www.deq.virginia.gov. Fish health studies indicate that fish in the affected rivers are subjected to multiple stresses and reveal significant damage to the skin, gills and internal organs. The fish being studied also contain a large number of parasites, but scientists have not been able to connect this condition directly to impairment or fish kills. Biological pathogens, or fish diseases, have received more attention in the past two years and suggest a strong relationship between certain fish bacteria and the springtime fish kills.
Scientists at the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Fish Health Lab in Leestown, W. Va., recently have found a link between Aeromonas salmonicida – a bacterium found in the diseased river fish – and lesions and deaths of experimentally infected laboratory fish.
A significant focus of current investigations is to determine the source of this bacterium and how it is transmitted, and to determine why certain fish appear to be more susceptible than others. Scientists will continue to collect water and fish samples this spring from the Shenandoah and upper James rivers before, during, and after any disease or fish kill outbreaks.
State agencies and their partners have led multiple investigations into these fish kills. In 2005, DEQ and DGIF formed the Shenandoah River Fish Kill Task Force, which includes university and government scientists, environmental groups, fishing guides, other state agencies and volunteer monitors – all with a common goal of finding the cause of the kills. This group has helped identify, conduct and evaluate research into possible causes of the fish kills.
Studies by state and federal scientists and university researchers have centered on water chemistry, fish diseases, and general health of fish and other aquatic life. Water quality studies have not identified any specific chemicals at levels that would be expected to cause the fish kills.
Many of the contaminants found in the rivers have not been studied, and there is no information on the levels at which they could affect aquatic organisms. A second group at USGS is studying whether combinations of contaminants could increase their strength, or whether they cause problems with immune system function that could help explain the fishes’ susceptibility to diseases. Scientists also are trying to determine whether there is a correlation among contaminants that could cause the intersex condition that is prevalent among smallmouth bass and sunfish.
Researchers have credited the public with providing significant assistance in the investigation. Many of the outbreaks were reported by fishermen, landowners and other river users. Knowing the timing and location of these events allows scientists to concentrate on the areas where fish kills are active. This information also allows DEQ and DGIF to collect current information on locations and severity of fish kills, and to share this information with the public through periodic updates on the agency websites.
DEQ and DGIF ask the public to continue to report observations of diseased or dead fish. Key information includes types and numbers of fish, location, and any unusual circumstances. Digital photographs are particularly helpful. Anyone with information on dead or dying fish is encouraged to contact the DEQ regional office in Harrisonburg at (540) 574-7800 or toll-free in Virginia at 1-800-592-5482. Information and photos also can be emailed to DEQ at fishreports@deq.virginia.gov.
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By: Virginia DEQ - DEQcast - DEQ news releases
WDNR South Central Region - HORICON - Binoculars…..check. The Great Wisconsin Birding and Nature Trail project will be celebrating its completion as part of the three-day long Horicon Marsh Bird Festival on Saturday, May …
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By: Wisconsin DNR News Releases
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 27, 2009
Contact: Bill Hayden, DEQ
(804) 698-4447
wphayden@deq.virginia.gov
RICHMOND, VA. — The State Water Control Board has approved the final list of localities that will receive federal stimulus money from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act through the Virginia Clean Water Revolving Loan Fund for improving wastewater treatment plants and collection systems, Governor Timothy M. Kaine announced today.
"These projects will get under way very quickly," Governor Kaine said. "They will enable us to make significant improvements in water quality and to help localities with high unemployment rates put more people to work."
A total of $76.9 million in grants is available from the federal government for these projects, going to 27 localities from across Virginia that will begin making the improvements by September 2009.
The projects include $24.9 million for Lynchburg to continue its combined sewer overflow program, which will eliminate raw sewage overflows that enter the James River. Also included are 13 "green infrastructure" projects costing $16 million that will make other environmental improvements, such as water reuse and alternative energy initiatives.
The Department of Environmental Quality evaluated 294 requests, worth more than $1.3 billion, before submitting a recommendation to the water board. Specific criteria were used in DEQ’s analysis, including anticipated environmental benefits, financial hardship and ability to begin the projects in the near future. A locality’s unemployment rate also was a consideration.
"Unfortunately, only a limited amount of money is available for these projects," Governor Kaine said. "Virginia will continue working with localities to ensure that other wastewater treatment projects will be completed in the coming years."
In addition to increasing employment in numerous localities, the improvements will help reduce nutrient pollution – excess nitrogen and phosphorus – that wastewater plants discharge into Virginia waterways. Other benefits of the projects include elimination of combined and sanitary sewer overflows, collection of wastewater in areas where septic systems are failing, and encouraging wastewater reuse and use of alternative energy. The complete list of localities receiving federal stimulus money is available on the DEQ website at www.deq.virginia.gov.
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By: Virginia DEQ - DEQcast - DEQ news releases
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing to permit a wastewater treatment facility for Coburg, Oregon. This is a new permit for a new facility that would collect, treat and discharge wastewater to a tributary of Muddy Creek and Little Muddy Creek which flow to the Willamette River.
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By: Oregon DEQ News
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing to permit a wastewater treatment facility for Coburg, Oregon. This is a new permit for a new facility that would collect, treat and discharge wastewater to a tributary of Muddy Creek and Little Muddy Creek which flow to the Willamette River.
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By: Oregon DEQ News
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing to permit a wastewater treatment facility for Coburg, Oregon. This is a new permit for a new facility that would collect, treat and discharge wastewater to a tributary of Muddy Creek and Little Muddy Creek which flow to the Willamette River.
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By: Oregon DEQ News
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is proposing to permit a wastewater treatment facility for Coburg, Oregon. This is a new permit for a new facility that would collect, treat and discharge wastewater to a tributary of Muddy Creek and Little Muddy Creek which flow to the Willamette River.
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By: Oregon DEQ News
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) invites public questions and comments on a cleanup proposal to remove some oil contamination from two scuttled ships that form the foundation of the dock facilities in Newport, Oregon.
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By: Oregon DEQ News
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