Many people say plan needed to improve Upper Rapidan water quality

Close to twenty Greene and Madison County Residents congregated at the PVCC Eugene Giuseppe Center in Stanardsville last Thursday evening to discuss strategies to protect local streams and rivers.

Representatives from a number of agenciesRappahannock Rapidan Regional Commission (RRRC), Blue Ridge Emergency Services (BRES), Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Culpeper Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)came to speak to concerned residents regarding an implantation plan for the Upper Rapidan Watershed. Affected rivers and stream stretch across Madison, Orange, Greene and Albemarle Counties.

The [DEQ] has measured excessive fecal bacteria levels, BRES president and CEO Byron Petrauskas said, noting high levels found in Rippin Run, Blue Run, Marsh Run, Beautiful Run, Popular Run and the Rapidan River. High levels result from feces from warm-blooded animals, which can contain various bacteria (such as E. Coli), parasites and viruses. Petrauskas said ingesting contaminated water could result in infection or diarrhea to more serious conditions such as ulcers, arthritis, chronic conditions or death.

First, the DEQ takes [water] samples and compares results to the bacteria count in the water quality standard, Petrauskas said. If 10.5 percent of samples exceed the bacteria water quality standard[the body of water] is considered impaired.

Once placed on this list, development of an implementation plan is required by law.

He said bacteria can source residentially from straight pipes (pipes which drain waste directly into watershed), failing septic systems, pet waste and residential land use runoff. Agriculturally, bacteria can source from direct defecation into rivers and streams by livestock and pasture and cropland runoff. Wildlife feces are also a factor.

General agricultural strategies or best management practices (BMP) to reduce bacterial contamination include excluding livestock from stream corridors using fencing, buffering or a setback, reforestation and rotational grazing. Residential strategies include eliminating straight pipes, repairing or replacing failing septic systems and hooking up to a sanitary sewer.

However, Petrauskas said before actions can be taken to lower bacteria levels, goals are set, cost and benefit calculations conducted and stakeholders are identified.

We want to get [these streams and rivers] off of the impaired water list, he said, noting strategies should strive lower bacteria levels to not exceed standard water quality. Milestones should be established to see how implementations are going and how the water quality is responding. He noted the SWCD and Virginia Department of Health track installations while the DEQ will continue to monitor bacteria levels.

But who is going to implement [the plan] and what are potential funding sources? Petrauskas asked. He said stakeholders can include local government, landowners, RRRC and SWCD on the local and regional levels, a number of state programs, federal agencies and programs including the United States Department of Agriculture, Clean Water Act, United States Fish and Wildlife Service and private sources. In the past 75 and 85 percent reimbursement was available for landowners willing to take initiative to fence off or protect stream and riverbanks and other agricultural BMPs on their property through a combination of federal, state, non-profit and private sourced funding. Culpeper SWCD district manager Greg Wichelns said 100 percent reimbursement is currently being offered through federal and state cost share programs.

Read more:
Many people say plan needed to improve Upper Rapidan water quality