It seems as though every time the James River takes one step forward in efforts to return to health, things then take two steps back.
That was the case Wednesday when the James River Association, the major environmental group lobbying for efforts to clean up Virginia’s largest and most historic waterway, released its two-year report card on the state of the mighty river’s health.
Two years, the James received a grade of C+ in the “State of the James” report; this time around, the grade has slipped to only a C. Two years ago, the river’s overal health score was at 57 percent; today, it’s only 53 percent.
Based on a number of factors — pollution levels, fish and wildlife populations, habitat conditions and restoration and protection activities, the 53 percent score indicates that the river is barely halfway to full health.
Though the James is in much better health than in the 1970s when it became infamous for a deadly Kepone spill near Hopewell, it’s still in a precarious state today. Sediment from storm water runoff is a major source of the problem, as are chemicals such as phosphorous and nitrogen runoff from agricultural operations in the river’s watershed.
The steps that need to be taken to bring the James back to health are as many and as myriad as the sources of the river’s present problems. Farmers along the streams and rivers that feed into the James need to deal with the matter of chemical runoff from their operations, sometimes with a step as simple as preservation of vegation along the banks to prevent erosion and block runoff. Municipalities, such as Lynchburg, should adopt river-friendly development policies and upgrade water treatment facilities where needed.
Doing what needs to be done regarding the James won’t be cheap, but the benefits far outweigh any monetary inconvenience.
First, a cleaner James River would be a big step toward a cleaner Chesapeake Bay, one of the major economic drivers of the Mid-Atlantic region. Second, the James is the primary or backup water source for several localities, including Lynchburg. Third, a cleaner James River would be a major economic boost for the communities along it.
And fourth, it’s our duty. We’re the ones who created this mess. We’re the ones who should clean it up.
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