The health of the James River is slipping in the face of new development and rising populations, according to a conservation organization.
In a new “State of the James” report released Wednesday, the James River Association downgraded the waterway from a C+ to a C.
While noting some successes, the river’s overall progress is starting to sputter, the association said.
“Like a boat rowing against the tide, our efforts and investments over the past decade have only kept pace with the growing population and development,” said executive director Bill Street.
“Unfortunately, unless we redouble our commitment to controlling pollution flowing into the James, we run the real risk of erasing the progress we have worked so hard to achieve,” he said.
The “State of the James,” a biennial report card on the James River’s health, gave the river an overall score of 53 percent, down from 57 percent two years ago.
The score is based on pollution levels, habitat conditions, fish/wildlife numbers, and restoration and protection activities. Scoring a 53 percent indicates the river is just over halfway to where it needs to be to achieve full health.
“Clearly this shows that a stronger commitment to fully implementing Virginia’s clean up plan for the James River is needed,” Street said.
The river is healthier than it was three decades ago, according to the report, but its progress has leveled off and pollution remains a significant threat.
Little headway has been made in reducing serious pollutants such as phosphorous and nitrogen over the past 10 years, and sediment from storm water runoff increased as more major storms occurred.
Phosphorous, nitrogen and sediment are the pollutants targeted in the renewed push to clean up the Chesapeake Bay, which is ushering in tougher water quality standards and — for Lynchburg — the possibility of new storm water fees.
The James River Association supports the bay initiative and Lynchburg’s proposed storm water fee structure.
On Wednesday, the group called for more funding to support river-friendly reforms in agricultural practices and upgrades to wastewater treatment plants. They urged local governments to adopt policies and ordinances encouraging conservation and low-impact development techniques.
The James River, which is Lynchburg’s secondary source of drinking water, stretches across 340 miles from the Appalachians to the Chesapeake Bay. It is Virginia’s single largest river.
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