| | PCBs in Lewis Creek
Come hear Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality's (VDEQ) Nesha McRae talk about polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in Lewis Creek in the City of Staunton and Augusta County.- Location: Staunton Public Library (1 Churchville Avenue)
- Date: Wednesday, January 15
- Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Note: In the case of inclement weather, the meeting will be postponed
until January 22nd, and held at the same time and location.
Lewis Creek was placed on Virginia’s impaired waters list in 2004 after monitoring of fish in the creek by the VDEQ showed fish tissue samples contaminated with elevated levels of PCBs. As a result... READ MORE
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| News Year's Greetings from the Chair
In the next few weeks we'll be emailing out the annual address from the Chair of our Board, Joe McCue. Stay tuned!
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| | | Books & Brews with Paul Bugas
Two chances to attend! The WMRA public radio's Books & Brews events this month feature Paul Bugas discussing his book, Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia.
- Tuesday, January 14, 7-8 pm. Pale Fire Tap Room, 217 S Liberty St #105, Harrisonburg (map).
- Wednesday, January 15, 7-8 pm. Pro Re Nata Brewery, 6135 Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet (map).
Paul Bugas brings decades of field experience to the conversation about
freshwater environments, the native fishes of Virginia (and
invasive fish), and how we can conserve and promote their well-being.
If you are a member of WMRA and present your WMRA Member Card,
you'll receive a certificate for a complimentary beer at both of these events.
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| E. coli Report: December 2019
December’s E.coli monitoring results look very good except at the most
upstream sites of Christians Creek– Old Staunton Rd. and Peyton Hill Road. There are a lot of livestock with access to the stream at those sites. But, downstream of
Greenville, the results are excellent! See the full report HERE!
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| | Benthic Monitoring Report: Fall 2019
Twenty-five volunteers collected and counted insects out of Middle River last October to monitor water quality. The results are not atypical for what we expected: Five monitoring sites had scores indicating borderline or unacceptable water quality to support aquatic life. Four monitoring sites had acceptable water quality to support aquatic life. As usual, the poorer water quality was in the upstream half of the river. Read the full report and access links to individual site graphs containing 8 years of data HERE. |
| Measuring Microplastics in Middle River
Local environmental conservation group, Shenandoah Green, is responsible for bringing a plastics scientist to
assess microplastics in Middle River, and they kindly invited FOMR to
help. Check out what we learned this past September! Watch the 5 minute video HERE! |
| FOMR Website Poll
We are discussing improving or replacing our website, and we would love to know your experience using the current FOMR website. Even if you rarely or never use our website, that info can help us. Please give us your thoughts HERE! |
| "Fish Live on Trees"
Nancy Sorrell-- of Alliance for the Shanandoah Valley-- writes: "Retired soil scientist, farmer, and author Bobby Whitescarver sums up his take on the value of streamside buffers quite simply: 'Fish live on trees.'
When those words flow out of his mouth, one can’t help but envision a
world where fish perch precariously on branches and, together with the
birds, flit in and out of the foliage. But Whitescarver is not talking
about a fantasy world; instead he is simply reducing the concept of
streamside buffers and their value in producing clean water, keeping
people and livestock healthy, fueling productive family farms, and
supporting wildlife, into one neat, catchy little phrase." Read Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley's full article HERE!
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| Comment Period for Fishing & Boating Regulations
Let your voices be heard! Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) is beginning its biennial process for
changing the regulations guiding recreational fishing, aquatic wildlife management,
and boating. New regulations will go into effect January 1st, 2021.
This process offers the opportunity for citizens to suggest potential
regulatory changes directly to VDGIF during the scoping period, which runs
from December 30, 2019 through February 28, 2020.
Click HERE to make suggestions about either
fishing or boating regulations, or both! |
| Board Member Changes
FOMR has some leadership changes to announce. First, deep thanks for the many years of great service given by the following members who have completed their terms: Mark Battin, Paul Bugas, David Fuller, Roger Robinson, Darrell Schwalm and Joe Thompson. Dave Mangun completed his 2 year Chairmanship, and will continue on the Board.
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| | And now, to welcome our oncoming Board members: John Bauman, Marion Bittinger, Lonni Neavear, Antonio Martinez and Nancy Owens. Joe McCue is beginning as Chairman of the Board.
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| | American Canoe Association's Kayaking Tutorials
A couple of short videos to address topics of interest:
Beginner's Guide to Choosing the Right Fishing Kayak, 3:39 minutes HERE
Top 5 Shallow Water Kayak Fishing Tips, 2:57 minutes HERE
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| Clean Water Farm Award
Virginia
Department of Conservation and Recreation has announced winning farmers
or farm owners who are doing exceptional work to protect soil
and water resources. One winner is selected from each of Virginia’s 10
major river basins. Our watershed's winner is:
Shenandoah River Basin
Luke and Roberta Heatwole
Nominated by Shenandoah Valley Soil and Water Conservation District
The Heatwoles maintain a 110-cow dairy along with 25-30 dry cows and 130 heifers in Rockingham County. They also operate two poultry houses. They are conscientious stewards of the land and have made significant efforts over time to manage the entire operation in a way that improves overall environmental quality.
Read more about the Heatwoles farm practices and all of the Clean Water Farm Awards Grand Basin winners HERE. |
| Upcoming
January
14 WMRA’s Books & Brews with Paul Bugas
who discusses his new book, Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia at the Pale
Fire Tap Room, 217 S Liberty St #105, Harrisonburg. 7-8pm.
15 Talk: PCBs in Lewis Creek, Nesha
McRae from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Staunton Public Library,
1 Churchville Avenue, Staunton. (In the case of inclement weather, the meeting
will be postponed until January 22nd, and held at the same time and location.)
5:30-6:30pm.
15 WMRA’s Books & Brews with Paul Bugas
who discusses his new book, Field Guide to Freshwater Fishes of Virginia at the Pro Re Nata Brewery, 6135
Rockfish Gap Turnpike, Crozet. 7-8pm. February
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FOMR is a Paddle America Club member
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| Read more about Friends of the Middle River at our website HERE.
And follow us on Facebook!
P.O. Box 131, Verona VA 24482 540-609-8267
FOMR is a 501(c)(3) organization.
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