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of Natural Resources,
formally announced the commonwealth’s commitment
to the action plan. Col. Dionysios Anninos
of the United States Army Corps of Engineers,
Kathryn Hodgkiss of the US Environmental
Protection Agency, and Jackson also addressed
the guests. Mayors of the four affected river
cities, Portsmouth’s Dr. James Holley, Virginia
Beach’s Meyera Oberndorf, Chesapeake’s Dr. Alan
Krasnoff, and Norfolk’s Paul Fraim, also
announced their citys' commitments to the
campaign.
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Leaders took part in a
multi-boat flotilla and ceremonial presentation
with area schoolchildren to signify their
dedication to the clean up efforts.
The swimmable, fishable campaign represents
dramatically higher expectations for the
severely degraded Elizabeth River, long labeled
Virginia’s most toxic tributary to the
Chesapeake Bay. After 15 years of success
with wetland restorations, organizing toxic
cleanups and engaging industries, citizens and
government to do their part, the non-profit
Elizabeth River project has set bold new goals
for also making the river safe for human health.
The long-term action plan
was recently updated based on consensus
recommendations
of more than 100 stakeholders from science,
government, business, and community
organizations. The new plan, titled
The River of the Future (download the large pdf
file) includes seven fundamental goals:
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Clean up the bottom of the Elizabeth
River.
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Restore and conserve wetlands, shellfish
beds and forested shores.
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Restore thriving marine life by
increasing dissolved oxygen and reducing
excess
nutrients as well as toxics in the water.
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Make swimming and fishing safe for humans
by reducing harmful bacteria to
acceptable levels.
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Make environmental responsibility the
standard for business and development
activities in the Elizabeth River watershed.
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Safeguard the river through integrated,
protective public polices and regulations.
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Create a river revolution, led by a
grassroots army of citizens of all ages who
understand, embrace, and promote the
restoration of the Elizabeth River.
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According to Joseph J. Thomas,
President of the Board, Elizabeth
River Project, the 2020 Vision is
simple: “Our legacy will be a clean
river that is safe for fishing and
swimming, and teeming with wildlife,
while sustaining a thriving economy,
so that our children and
grandchildren will know that we had
them in mind.” |
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News Coverage
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