Column: The James River and the Clean Water Act at 50 – Richmond Times-Dispatch

By TIM KAINE and BILL STREET

In 1966, an Allied Chemical plant in Hopewell began producing kepone, a non-biodegradable insecticide, and depositing toxic waste from production into the James River. By the mid-1970s, the effects of this pollution were so severe that Gov. Mills Godwin was forced to ban fishing on the entire lower James River, from Richmond to the Chesapeake Bay. The ban lasted for 13 years.

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Kepone pollution wasnt the only problem on the James. The once-pristine river that set the scene for Richmonds existence had long been used as a sewer for disposing of human, industrial and agricultural waste, like many other rivers across Virginia and the nation. In 1969, Time Magazine published riveting pictures of the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland on fire due to dumping of oil, cyanide, and other debris by local manufacturers.

Serious pollution of the nations waterways spurred Congress to pass the Clean Water Act 50 years ago and invest the newly-created Environmental Protection Agency, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, with significant new power to clean up the James and other rivers.

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The Clean Water Act was initially introduced by Maine Senator Edmund Muskie in October 1971. It passed the Senate five days after introduction! The House passed its version of the bill in March 1972 and the full Congress agreed on a compromise conference report in early October. President Richard Nixon vetoed the bill, but the veto was overridden by bipartisan supermajorities in both chambers and the CWA became law on Oct. 18, 1972.

Fifty years later, the effects of the Clean Water Act on Americas rivers have been dramatic. The James River has gone from environmental disaster to success story. Restoration of key species such as the bald eagle and sturgeon has been remarkable. In Richmond, the James and its adjoining park system attract significant recreational use and have earned our capital city the title of Americas Best River Town, according to Outside Magazine. We proudly celebrated when the James River was awarded the prestigious Thiess International Riverprize in 2019, a global recognition of its remarkable restoration and impact on our communities.

As a public official who has battled for river improvement at the local, state, and federal levels, and as the president of the premier nonprofit formed to protect and improve the James, weve been part of the daily struggles to restore Americas Founding River. As a result, we have witnessed firsthand what has made the CWA successful. First, it harnesses the strengths of each level of government: federal minimum standards, state decision-making, and local implementation. The CWA also empowered citizens with the power to legally challenge decisions made by government agencies as a check and balance. Cleaning up our waterways, particularly Virginias rivers and the Chesapeake Bay, has remained a bipartisan issue with widespread support. As a result, the restoration of the James was led by many, but it would not have been possible without the framework of the Clean Water Act.

The CWA has been most effective in regulating industrial pollution and raising standards for sewage treatment plants, which has significantly improved the health of the James, as it receives over 70% of Virginias wastewater discharge. This transformational success should give us optimism about continued progress in years to come.

However, important work remains. The Act has been less successful in managing stormwater and agricultural run-off, and the river faces many emerging threats like microplastics pollution and climate change impacts. Despite the CWAs express goal of making all waters fishable and swimmable, the James still has fish consumption health advisories and at times is unsafe to swim due to raw sewage from aging wastewater systems. Additionally, the Act needs improvements to address environmental injustices that threaten access to clean water and to provide tribes with the resources they need to protect their waterways. These difficult issues point to the need to strengthen the law and our efforts.

It is also important to note that as the James has gotten cleaner, the city of Richmond has grown. During the last decades of the 20th century, the citys population fell from a high of 249,000 to about 196,000. Today, the population has rebounded to nearly 230,000, a major turnaround. Many factors have contributed to Richmonds 21st century renaissance, but the efforts to clean up the river and reorient daily life around its natural beauty have absolutely been key to our success.

So, we salute the Clean Water Act at 50. The James River and the Richmond community have been tremendous beneficiaries of this impactful law. And we pledge to keep working with all individuals and organizations to improve the James for today and tomorrow. See you on the river!

Organist Eddie Weaver at the Miller & Rhoads Tea Room

Lunches in the Miller & Rhoads Tea Room with Eddie Weaver at the organ have been so popular that he cut his own record.

The recently closed Venice Restaurant at the Corner of W. Cary and Thompson streets in Richmond. The Venice had operated since 1958; the owners recently decided to retire.

The new Julian's - Julian's, an Italian restaurant that has been operating for 40 years, has moved to larger quarters on West Broad Street. The restaurant left 2529 W. Broad St. and is leasing space in the former Automobile Club of Virginia headquarters, a block to the west. The restaurant has about 50 percent more space, with seating for about 200 people on the main floor. In addition, a wine cellar has been installed in the basement, private dining areas have been set up, and office space is available on the upper floor. The vacated property may become part of a redevelopment project involving the William Byrd Motor Hotel.

Miller & Rhoads Corner Shop, T-D Mag. Camera Quiz.

Byram's Restaurant, 3215 West Broad Street.

March 16, 1967 ( Staff photo - Netherwood ) Collector's Corner is between the Tea Room and Ladies Room on Miller & Rhoads 5th Floor

Charles Wood on ladder. Jimmy Aldred climbing down. Talley Neon takes down Julian's Restaurant sign

Little remains besides the brick walls at the Capri Restaurant (right) and a chiropractor's office. July 4, 1983.

A Julian's Restaurant menu from the early 1950's.

In January 1975, shoppers passed by the clock at Miller & Rhoads in downtown Richmond. The distinct timepiece with four faces was installed in the department store in the mid-1920s; it can be seen today at the Valentine Richmond History Center.

The new Kelly's Jet System restaurant which is due to open in mid-August on the northwest corner of Fifth and Broad sts. is shown above.

Where's the engine? The caboose traveling on the bed of a truck along West Broad Street yesterday wasn't part of a new rail line in Richmond, but part of a remodeling project at the old Clover Room restaurant. Owner John Dankos plans to open the new restaurant, Stanley Stegmeyer's Hodgepodge, on July 1. Part of the decor will include two cabooses, each of which will seat 16 persons. May 3, 1978

This January 1952 image shows the intersection of West Broad and Lombardy streets, home to a White Tower restaurant and a Firestone automotive service center. White Tower restaurants were a rival of White Castle eateries. The Firestone site is now home to a Dollar Tree store. Lombardy & Broad St.

This January 1952 image shows the intersection of West Broad and Lombardy streets, home to a White Tower restaurant and a Firestone automotive service center. White Tower restaurants were a rival of White Castle eateries. The Firestone site is now home to a Dollar Tree store. Lombardy & Broad St.

A view of the water at Chesdin Restaurant, 629 River Road, Matoaca.

A dish from the the Chesdin Restaurant, 629 River Road, Matoaca.

In the small kitchen of Jumpin J's Java, owner Je Depew (right) creates unique entrees with chef Gene Smith (center) and Chris Pierson. Sept. 25, 2004

At Jumpin J's Java, owner Je Depew (left) shares a laugh with customers Denise Lawus and Melvin Carter. Sept. 25, 2004

Je Depew, outside her cafe' and restaurant, Jumpin J's Java, at 2306 Jefferson Avenue (corner of Jefferson and Leigh streets) in Church Hill.

Exterior of Six Burner Restaurant on Grace Street in 2010.

Roasted Red Pepper appetizer at Six Burner Restaurant. Roasted Red Peppers, local goat cheese, roasted garlic and shallots seved with grilled bread.

One of the many seating areas at the Mexico Restaurant in Mechanicsville on May 17, 2004.

The Upper East Side Restaurant Jazz Lounge and Sports Bar allocated at 7103 Brook Road March 30, 2004.

The Upper East Side Restaurant Jazz Lounge and Sports Bar allocated at 7103 Brook Road on March 30, 2004. Grilled mushroom melt burger, (left) Upper East Side hot wings, and grilled chicken wrap.

Kobe Japanese Steaks & Sushi. March 24, 2004

Ancho chile strip (front plate), Coconut jumbo shrimp (back plate), creme brule cheesecake (right plate) and Firebirds 2000 Napa Valley Red are some of the items on the Firebirds Rocky Mountain Grill. Photo taken Monday, March 1, 2004,

Bookbinder's Grill in Alverser Plaza in Midlothian in 2004.

Bella Arte on Bellevue Ave. in 2004.

Sushi from the Young Bin Restaurant in Chippenham Square Shopping Center February 24, 2004.

Shrimp and Scallop Scampi with linguine at Portabella's Restaurant & Pizzaria

Paxton Campbell, owner of The Oak Leaf sandwich shop on West Franklin, holds a picture of his grandmother Pearl Campbell, who had a restaurant called The Oak Leaf at 307 North Boulevard in the 1920's.

The "Plato Gordo" at Rio Grande Cafe at Stony Point Fashion Park.

George Porcella, general manager of Pasta Luna restaurant in Richmond, VA, holds a menu as he talks about how the mad-cow scare has affected their business Tuesday, Dec. 30, 2003.

El Azteca Mexican Restaurant in Ashland . December 22 , 2003

Valentino's Italian Pizza and Restaurant, December 2, 2003.

Interior of Valentino's Italian Pizza and Restaurant. Photo taken Dec. 2, 2003

Coctel De Camaron, (Shrimp Cocktail) at Los Rios Mexican Restaurant on Tuckernuck Road, November 12, 2003.

Satoru Sato, head chef at Hana Zushi Japanese Restaurant, prepares a variety of sushi delicacies February 18, 2004

Anthony Clark, a host at Croaker's Spot in Jackson Ward, waits to greet guests as they enter the restaurant on December 19, 2003.

The Edible Garden, 12506 River Road, Goochland County. Phot o taken June 17, 2005

Harold Thomas III, 14, works at Harold's Kitchen every day after school. The restaurant has been in the family since 1971, when the first Harrold, Harrold III's grandfather, opened it.

La Casita's home made sauces - Red, (Medium) White, (Hot) and Green, (Very hot) compliment the restaurant's Shrimp Quesadilla, served with guacamole, sour cream, and pico de gallo.9/6/05-

Diners munch under the festive lights strung over the dining room at La Casita Restaurant in Richmond Tuesday.9/6/05

Joe and Camilia Trak (center) with their children John and Mona, with some of the items on their extensive Greek-Italian menu, including Greek and Italian wines. Trak's Greek and Italian Ristorante

Visitors to Trick Dog Cafe in Irvington, Virginia, can rub this trick dog statue for good luck. Photo taken Wednesday, July 19, 2005.

Smoked Salmon in a crepe with flower petals with chives, cr me frais, microgreens accompanied by caper berries, chopped white onions, parsley and quail eggs. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. May 13, 2005.

Chef Matthew Tlusty with two Rock fish at Limani Fish Grill on W. Cary St.July 14, 2005

Isabel and Mehmet Akpinar, owners of Zorba's Restaurant June 1, 2005.

Homard en Poche, Rock Lobster Tail & Oyster Mushroom Duxelle baked in a Beggars Pouch. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. May 13, 2005.

Smoked Salmon in a crepe with flower petals with chives, cr me frais, microgreens accompanied by caper berries, chopped white onions, parsley and quail eggs. 1 North Belmont Restaurant on North Belmont Road in the fan. 5/13/05

Thyme crusted rack of veal served with asparagus flan and prosciutto wrapped asparagus is one of the entrees served at Bistro R, on W. Broad St.

Bryn Purser (foreground) and Adam Schumm (background) working in their restaurant, Zuppa, at 104 N. 18th St. in Shockoe Bottom in 2005

Bottoms Up staff prepares for dinner customers beneath a reminder of Tropical Storm Gaston's flood damage on August 11 , 2005

Brasilian Cafe owner Rogel Venson and employee Isabel Gonzalez inside the restaurant on April 14, 2005.

Contractor W. Samuel West, West Builders LLC, (right) was instrumental in rebuilding many flood-damaged restaurants in Shockoe Bottom including the River City Diner in which this photo was taken.

Mr. Bojangles restaurant is located at 550 E. Marshall Street.

A wooden casket containing a dummy corpse is brought into O'Toole's Restaurant as part of a "wake" that harks back to a centuries-old papal dispensation that allowed Irishmen normally abstaining from drink during Lent to drink in the event of a wake for the dead. The ritual with the dummy corpse is a tradition of many years at the restaurant/bar on Forest Hill Ave.

Wingstop Restaurant featured a variety of wings for every palate. From left: Lemon Pepper, original hot wings, and a mild variety. They are served here with fresh-cut seasoned fries.

Darryl and Pramvdee U. McGuire owners of Thai Country Resturant on Staples Mill Rd. .

A list of restaurants supposedly available at the Sixth Street Marketplace, but alas, several are closed down and one whole block of restaurants listed has been demolished.

Rod Bennett (right) a partner in the Martini Kitchen & Bubble Bar venture, said that the 1911 West Main Street restaurant will boast 85 martinis on the menu. It will also offer certified black angus beef, duck, and lobster.

Lois McCarn of Richmond (center) eats lunch with her daughter Carolyn Barker of Richmond in Brio Tuscan Grille at Stony Point Fashion Park

Little Europa Strogonoff (stroganoff) at Little Europa Restaurant and Gourmet Deli in the Gayton Crossing Shopping Center on 11/5/03. Flambe version.

From left, Thomas Haskins, Andrew Williams, and Fred Middleton preparing food in the kitchen of the Positive Vibe Cafe in the Stratford Hills Shopping Center.

Chef Peter Caserta is opening a second Pasta Luna restaurant in addition to the West End location. The new location is in the Commonwealth Center at 288 and Hull Streets.

Chicken Biryahi, adorned with egg, is available at Curry House restaurant on West Broad Street. Photo taken October 7, 2003.

Gade Reddy, of Wilmington, Delaware, eats a meal at Curry House restaurant on West Broad Street Tuesday, October 6, 2003.

The bar at the Grafiti Grille in the Tuckahoe Shopping Center. Feb. 27, 2005

Marie Antoinette Elbling grew up on a farm near the village of Thanville in Alsace, France. Her family ate seasonal food only at three meals. After moving to Richmond 34 years ago where she and husband, Chef Paul, opened La Petite France, she eats the same way. She doesn't exercise because she is in constant motion. Life is her exercise. If a light bulb needs changed in the restaurant, she'll grab a ladder and do it.

Chef F. J. Sabatini, with his Seafood Bouchee, in the restaurant in the Henry Clay Inn in Ashland on March 28, 2005

The Brasilian Cafe is located in the basement of Stuart Circle Apartments on Monument Avenue. Photo taken Sunday, January 20, 2005.

Among other dishes, guests at Can Can, a brasserie on Cary St., can savor the roasted salmon served with lentils, wild mushrooms and red wine shallots. April 20, 2005.

The bar area of Shula's 2 restaurant at the Sheraton Richmond West November 6, 2004.

Guests dining at Cielito Lindo who might be in the mood for something sweet can try the flan de calabaza, the pumpkin flan. March 15, 2005.

Christopher Bak, chef at Fusion, watches over chocolate truffle cake. Photo taken Monday, March 7, 2005.

The Lucky lounge, located on E. Cary St., opened December 28, 2004. This restaurant/bar also offered live music, including Jazz on Thursday nights.

Lunch crowd at Perly's on Grace St. March 11, 2005

A fire broke out at Firebirds in the Short Pump Town center on December 20, 2005.

India Garden & Grill WAS a family-owned Indian restaurant off of Midlothian Turnpike. Pictured here in 2005 were masala dosa (front), an Indian-style thin pancake served with onion and potato stuffing, curry and coconut chutney sauce, and vegetable jalfrezi (behind), a mix of cauliflowers, carrots, beans and green peppers sauteed in ginger, garlic, dry fruits and authentic Indian spices.

Looking out of the front window into the "sidewalk cafe" portion of Escabar at 5806 Grove Ave. December 21, 2005

Kevin Brown (left) and Nancy Cohen in the kitchen at Cafe Mandolin Feburary 18 , 2005

Using savory custard with dijon mustard in filo shells as the base , David Shannon of Dogwood restaurant created seven holiday party foods using leftovers . December 20 , 2005

Cluck Bucket (left), Gravy Fries and Perogies from The Pour House om 2005. Photo taken Dec. 3

Martini Kitchen and Bubble Bar. Rack of Lamb, field greens and shrimp cocktail. November 28 , 2005

Beverly Mazursky, owner of Bev's Homemade Ice Cream shop in Carytown in the Carytown store on Thursday, February 10, 2005.

The driver of this pickup truck was taken into custody on Dec. 9, 2005 after Hanover authorities and patrons at Mulligan's Sports Bar said he drove into the restaurant after being kicked out.

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Column: The James River and the Clean Water Act at 50 - Richmond Times-Dispatch