Subject: Benthic Monitoring & Hydrofracking

Spring 2014 Stream Monitoring Classes
#1  Introductory Training Course

Friends of the Middle River is pleased to offer an introductory training course to persons interested in learning about monitoring the Middle River for aquatic insects. 
This is the first of three courses towards certification as a stream monitor for the VA Save Our Streams protocol.

Training will include streamside orientation and insect collection, weather permitting, and an indoor classroom session on monitoring basics and beginning aquatic insect identification.
When: Sunday, March 16, 3-5 PM        Where: Churchville Public Library

Registration is required by March 13th. To register, please email Whit Morriss at awmorriss@gmail.com  or call him at 540-292-3513.
#2 Family Level Insect Identification Refresher Course

This refresher course is for Certified SOS Monitors and other experienced monitors as part of the Quality Assurance Plan to review macroinvertebrate identification at the family level.

Live and preserved specimens will be provided for practice identification.

When:
Wednesday, March 26, 7-9 PM

Where:
Churchville Public Library
Registration is required by March 24th. To register, please email Whit Morriss at awmorriss@gmail.com  or call him at 540-292-3513.
Hydrofracking in the George Washington National Forest

     In January the FOMR Steering Committee decided that FOMR should join local governments and grass-roots organizations in opposing hydrofracking in George Washington National Forest. Please click here to see our letter to the Secretary of the US Department of Agriculture, dated 1/18/2014. The letter expresses our concerns about the potential impact that hydrofracking in the nearby GWNF could have on our local water resources, as well as our concern that approval of hydrofracking in GWNF could set a precedent for approval in other National Forests or protected natural resource areas as well as in neighboring communities.

     The January 2014 newsletter from Wild Virginia highlights several upcoming events sponsored by a variety of local grass-roots groups opposed to hydrofracking. The principal event is the February 12th FREE screening of the movie GASLAND PART II at the Court Square Theater in Harrisonburg from 6-8 PM. The newsletter also has information about a new Stream Monitoring and water quality monitoring initiative with Trout Unlimited in the NF to gather baseline data on our water resources there. Free training will be provided in June and no experience is required. 

Darrell Schwalm
Chair, FOMR Public Policy Committee

P.O. Box 131, Verona, VA 24482, United States
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