Northumberland
is going to grow. Let’s help it grow
with order and beauty.
Spring 2002 Volume 11, Issue 2
NAPS Annual Membership Meeting
By
Mike Harwood
On
Saturday, February 16, at 9:30 AM, thirty NAPS members were treated to a
presentation by Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Biologist Dr.
Arthur Butt on efforts to forecast and improve water quality in the Chesapeake
Bay. He was introduced by Dr. Lynton Land. Dr. Butt told the audience that over
the next ten years, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware, West
Virginia, and DC will join together to improve water quality in the Bay and its
tributaries. He said three new criteria will be used to monitor the health of
the Bay's complex ecosystem and living resources: dissolved oxygen, chlorophyll
and water clarity. He said the new criteria will better take into account the
natural variability found in Bay waters. He said that the design and
implementation of tributary strategies to meet these criteria will enable the
states and DC to remove the Bay and its tidal tributaries from the impaired
waters list. He said the Bay Program has identified five types of habitat for
analysis and standards development: shallow water, open water, deep water, deep
channel, and migratory and spawning areas, thus allowing water quality
standards to be matched with the plants and animals that are adapted to life in
those different areas, rather than on a single Bay wide standard. The new
standards combine water quality criteria and designated uses to produce a
target numeric value that, if achieved, will maintain healthy water quality.
Dr.
Butt said that Northumberland County is part of the Potomac River
Strategy. He said the new standards and
strategies will be completed by 2005. He said the Bay must meet the Bay-wide
goals by 2010 or be subject to threatened EPA federally mandated Total Minimum
Daily Load (TMDLs), and whatever restrictions they may bring. He said that for
now, there is insufficient state money for the DEQ to carry out water quality
improvement programs, and so it is up to the local communities to carry out
voluntary programs throughout the Bay area. For the far term, Dr. Butt said the
actions taken will depend on how much restriction the people will be willing to
take, and the ability of the economy to provide funding. He said some of the
steps NAPS can take now is to help educate the people, participate in citizen
monitoring programs, etc. He said that it is the people who make up the
Commonwealth and that we need to speak up, especially groups like NAPS. He
said, "the DEQ does not really know what is best for you, and you need to
tell them." He said we can learn more about this by accessing the
following web site: www.chesbay.net.
Cary
Caton and Susan Lindsey were elected to the NAPS Board of Directors, replacing
Randy Neal and Don Pumroy. Mr. Pumroy agreed to continue to serve as Chairman
of the Education Committee until July.
Lee
Allain spoke about the need for improved water clarity in the Bay and its
tributaries and introduced the "NAPS Spring Marsh Grass Planting"
project. He said this project would follow the years of NAPS shoreline cleanups
and the recent gathering of seeds and nuts in support of the State's effort to
extend shoreline buffer systems. He said that through its new "grass
roots" environmental restoration effort, NAPS is continuing its Bay
stewardship program by improving natural riparian buffers, reducing pollutants
and soil disruption adjacent to our waterways, and encouraging the growth of
intertidal mashes and subsequent vegetation (SAV). He said intertidal grass
helps water clarity and the overall environment by: reducing erosion and
silting caused by boat wakes and storms, reducing erosion and silt caused by
land runoff, and providing an environment for such creatures as grass shrimp,
game fish and shellfish. Mr. Allain said that the planting, to take place at
Lodge Creek in early May, will start with a class given by Karen Duhring, a
Marine Scientist with the Virginia Institute of Marine Science (VIMS). For more
information, check out the NAPS web site: www.geocities.com/northumberlandnaps
or call Lee Allain, Mike Harwood,
Lynton Land, Dick Steelman or Hoyt
Wheeland, members of the NAPS Grass Steering Group.
Don
Pumroy reported on the Education Committee's NAPS display at the Library during
December and January, and the scholarship program, wherein four $500
scholarships will be presented to graduating seniors again this year.
Mary
Lou Butler gave a Membership Committee report and encouraged current members to
use the 2001 membership brochure to bring in as many new members as possible.
Susan
Tipton requested that NAPS become involved again when the County reviews the
Comprehensive Plan and, hopefully, the zoning ordinance. She said that she also
intends to participate. Susan Stubbs suggested that NAPS become involved in
assisting the Boy Scouts in earning their environmental merit badges. Cary
Caton volunteered the use of her home for this.
President Neal announced that the NAPS
Fall social is being planned for September 22. He acknowledged the following
for their hard work during the past year: Margaret Simonetti for many years of
service as NAPS Treasurer, Jim Blankenship as Membership Database Administrator,
Ralph Brainard as new Database Administrator and News Letter Editor, Cas
Olverson as past NAPS Secretary and Shirley Smith as her replacement, Mary Lou
Butler for organizing last year's NAPS Social, Lynton Land for his series of
newspaper articles and radio spots and Mike Harwood for his sludge leadership.
Randy
Neal thanked his board members over the past six years when he served as
President, and received a round of applause from the audience for his own
dedicated service.
NAPS continues to play a major
role in trying to place reasonable controls on sludge land application in
Northumberland County and throughout Virginia. The local sludge study team,
comprised primarily of NAPS members, has been gathering vital information from
researchers, other concerned citizens and web sites from around the Country.
One thing we have learned during this information gathering process is that
sludge concerns are not unique to Virginia. We are receiving articles and even
news segment videos involving, among others, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, New
York, Virginia, Florida, Iowa, Colorado and California.
The next few weeks and months
will be crucial. We expect the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) sludge report
reviewing the EPA’s science and control operations, to be out sometime in late
May. Meetings of the Commission on the Future of Virginia’s Environment will
probably be held sometime in late April, late May and again in mid-June. The
NAS report will undoubtedly play a major role in the Commission’s proceedings.
Thanks to Cary Caton, Lynton
Land, Sheri Hummel, Dick Steelman, Lee Allain, Rev. Gayl Fowler, Frank
Fletcher, and Randy Neal for the major role they are playing in this battle.
Kenny Eades, Northumberland County Administrator and Tommy Tomlin, Member of
the Northumberland Board of Supervisors, have also been huge helps. Actually,
the entire Board has been most supportive. Delegate Albert Pollard was
instrumental in getting SB618 introduced, providing for empowerment of local
authorities to regulate, control and prohibit sludge land application, and is
helping us work with key legislators in Richmond.
I know you are thinking, “What
can I (we) do to help?” Well there are
two ways you can help. First, we can always use financial support. The NAPS
Board has been most generous, providing $2,500 for the Richmond law firm that
is doing a great job “selling” the need for local empowerment to senators and
delegates, and advising NAPS and other concerned groups in the State. The Board
also helped cover a large share of my expenses with a $300 check. We have
contacts in 16 counties outside of Northumberland, and one of them sent us a
nice check this week to help with expenses. In dealing with her contribution,
it occurred to me that other concerned citizens might also like to contribute.
If you are one of these, please send your check, payable to NAPS, to me at PO
Box 206, Wicomico Church, VA 22579. I will see to it that it goes into the NAPS
account and is used for the sludge project.
The other way you can help is to
be a contact or recommend a contact with one of the key senators and delegates.
For now, we need to identify people in the districts of those senators and
delegates on the Commission for the Future of Virginia’s Environment. These
are: Senator William T. Bolling, Chairman, 4th District, Hanover;
Senator W. Henry Maxwell, 2nd District, Newport News; Senator Emmett
W. Hanger, District 24, Mt. Solon; Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, 31st
District, Arlington; Senator R.Creigh Deeds (SB 618 Sponsor), 25th
District, Hot Springs; Delegate M. Kirkland Cox, 66th District,
Colonial Beach; Delegate David B. Albo, 42nd District, Springfield;
and Delegate R. Lee Ware, 65th District, Powhatan. If you have or
once had a home or business in one of these districts, or have friends or
family in one of them, send me the names and addresses (e-mail addresses if
available) at 580-4801 or mikehar2@juno.com, and we will get in touch. For, no
matter how well prepared we are going into the Commission meetings during the
coming weeks, unless we have personal contacts among constituents, we really
won’t have much of a chance.
Thank you for your support for
this thorny cause.
President’s Corner
By Don Pumroy
I have been asked and agreed to serve as President until the end of June, 2002. I also will be Chairing the Education Committee. There are so many NAPS activities I thought I would mention them briefly so that the reader will be aware. They are:
·
This
Newsletter. Doesn’t Ralph do a fabulous
job? Thanks much.
·
Randy
Neal has provided NAPS with long-term dedicated leadership as President of
NAPS. We should all be thankful and
appreciative of his effort. Fortunately
for NAPS and me he will be working as ex-officio member of the Board this
spring.
·
The
River Clean Up Project is truly one we can be proud of. Mike Harwood has organized it for so
long. This project is currently on the
back burner; one reason is that we ran out of creeks to clean up.
·
Marsh
Grass Project. We are concerned with
the erosion of our beaches and Lee Allain is organizing a planting of marsh
grass May 18. We hope to learn from
this project and be able to pass on information to others.
·
The
sludge problem has been somewhat of a dicey issue but we believe that the
county should decide about the use of sludge on county farms. As Northumberland is unique with its
closeness to the water, we are concerned about the runoff from the sludge. We thank Mike Harwood for his leadership of
this project.
·
Lynton
Land has been writing scholarly and informative columns for local newspapers
about keeping our land safe, clean and beautiful. Lynton wrote and Randy Neal presented some radio spots that have
been well received.
· Lynton Land is preparing a
packet of brochures for new homeowners which describe best practices in
protecting our land and waters.
· Margaret Simonetti has been
thanked profusely by the Board for all the efforts she has contributed to NAPS
as Treasurer. She will continue as
historian.
· Many of you know that
Charles Fears has been our NAPS contact for Adopt A Highway for some
time. He is stepping down and we are
looking for someone for this important job.
· For the various activities
held in the county (e.g. Countdown to Christmas) we set up a NAPS booth so we
can tell people about NAPS, its activities and good things it does. We are always looking for people to staff
these booths and it is a lot of fun meeting and talking with the people who
stop by.
· The Education Committee will
be awarding four scholarships again this year.
· We will be giving our annual
Distinguished Citizen Award at our NAPS Social September 22.
· Bob Holly is starting work
to find individuals who can serve as a contact for one of the rivers or creeks
in the county.
I
apologize if I have left any activities or persons out. If I did, let me know, and you will be
number one in my column in the next newsletter.
Coastal Marshes
By Lynton Land
Coastal marshes or wetlands can
be viewed from two perspectives. They can smell bad because of the release of
hydrogen sulfide (“rotten egg” gas). They breed undesirable organisms like mosquitoes.
They consume prime waterfront real estate. They release greenhouse gasses like
methane and nitrous oxide.
But there is another
perspective. In our tidal marshes, the salt marsh cordgrass Spartina
alterniflora is the most abundant plant. It is adapted to a limited tidal
range and a limited range of salinity. The plant grows rapidly in full sunlight
and forms the basis for what biologists call a “detritus-based food chain”. Few
animals actually eat the living grass. But when the grass dies and bacteria
begin to decompose the woody tissue, the slimy particles form a delicious and
nutritious meal for many organisms like juvenile fish and crabs. These small
organisms, in turn, provide a meal for larger organisms, like birds, and so on
up the food chain. Surprisingly as it may seem, salt marshes are one of the
most productive ecosystems on Earth. Salt marshes produce more organic matter
per square meter than do coral reefs or tropical rain forests or modern
agriculture. Their photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas)
and liberates oxygen proportionately. The habitat provided by marshs is
critical in the life cycle of many organisms, including many species with
important commercial and/or recreational value. Not only do marshes provide abundant
food, but they also provides a refuge for small organisms at critical times
during their development.
Plants like Spartina have
an extensive “root” system (called rhizomes) which serves a variety of
important functions. Nutrients like nitrate and phosphate are taken up to
support the growth of the plant and thus the nutrients are prevented from
entering our waterways and contributing to growth of water-clouding suspended
algae. The roots stabilize the substrate, retarding erosion. The marsh also traps
sediment washed off the land, helping to keep the water clear and prevent the
creeks from shoaling up and smothering oyster beds.
Some scientists have likened
salt marshes to “nature’s kidneys”, ridding surface water and groundwater of
unwanted substances. For example, salt marshes DESTROY NITRATE! The bacteria
which convert dissolved nitrate back into harmless nitrogen gas, called
denitrifying bacteria, require three things: 1) a source of energy, 2) an
anoxic environment (one with no oxygen gas present), and 3) nitrate. Salt
marshes contain abundant organic matter, which is the source of energy. The mud
in the marsh is anoxic because other bacteria quickly consume dissolved oxygen
to respire (burn) the abundant organic matter. Groundwater discharge into the
marsh provides nitrate. Some modern wastewater treatment plants attempt to
duplicate this natural process of denitrification, at considerable expense. It
is a form of tertiary sewage treatment, or nutrient removal, called BNR
(Biological Nitrogen Removal). In fact, artificial marshes are touted as
excellent tools to destroy nitrate before it can enter waterways and contribute
to overfertilization. The construction of artificial marshes often accompanies
the retrofitting of other forms of tertiary sewage treatment to existing
wastewater treatment facilities and to the design of new facilities.
There can be no doubt about
which perspective prevails. The positive aspects of marshes clearly outweigh
the negative ones. But our marshes are vulnerable. They are eroding away on
their seaward margins. As sea level rises, the Spartina is killed when
its low tide limit is exceeded. We can combat this inexorable process by
addressing global warming, and by always proceeding at No-Wake-speed in the
vicinity of marshes. As sea level rises, the marsh will try to move landward.
We can assist this process by pruning away shrubs and overhanging limbs which
shade the grasses, and limit their ability to grow and expand. Marine grasses
prefer full sunlight. The simple act of pruning away overhanging limbs also
helps slow the tipping of the tree toward the water and reduces the fall of
leaves and twigs into the marsh and the water. We must begin to care for our
marshes just as we care for other parts of our property. Marsh grass can also
be planted where barren east-, south- or west-facing intertidal flats are
exposed at low tide so that full or nearly full sunlight penetrates at least
part of the day. During spring, sprigs can be transplanted along with a pinch
of a slow release fertilizer to get the grass off to a good start.
Healthy marshes have an annual
cycle and a beauty all their own. They are a very important part of our
ecosystem. Improving the health of our marshes will improve the health of our
local waterways and the Bay.
If you missed a Stewardship Tip,
they can all be found, along with links to other sources of information, at the
NAPS web site, www.geocities.com/northumberlandnaps
NAPS Schedules Marshgrass Planting May 18th
By Lee Allain
Reserve Saturday, May 18th, to
get involved as part of the NAPS Marshgrass Planting. If getting a little wet and muddy sounds good to you, join one of
our planting teams. If you would rather
“listen, look, and learn,” the opportunity will be provided to learn about
planting intertidal marsh grass, and to watch others as they install buffer
logs and plant grass. This year’s
Marshgrass Planting is a natural follow on to our Shoreline Cleanups of years
past. It continues our progress toward
a primary objective — IMPROVED WATER QUALITY.
Although from the surface our
estuaries and the Bay appear blue and pristine, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation
gives the Bay health a grade of 27 out of a possible 100. Many juvenile fish species, blue crabs and oysters are in serious
trouble. In fact, under the definitions
of the EPA, our rivers and bay are "impaired waterways" and will be
subject to vigorous governmental control by 2010, unless we all take action to
improve water quality to at least a grade of 40. There are things you and I can do to protect our bay and
improve water quality (and the fishing).
Every little bit helps.
NAPS’ Marshgrass Planting is
designed to stabilize an eroding site with grass. If we are successful with restoration, normal storm runoff or
wave action will be buffered by the new grass, and erosion will be
reduced. More importantly, a vital and prolific
marshgrass environment will again sustain life.
Shoreward plantings of native
grass, shrubs and trees form our first line of defense against erosion and
pollutant runoff. Of course, minimizing
the use of fertilizers and all toxic chemicals near the water is always a good
start. Waterward, nature depends on
natural cordgrass in the intertidal area to reduce erosion, nutrient run-off
and to provide a home for shrimp, crabs, and many other marine organisms. These are the creatures near the bottom of
the food chain that are so necessary for healthy bay life. Although saltmarsh cordgrass, or spartina
Alterniflora , is doing well in many areas of our county, there are a lot
of areas, like our current planting site, where we can provide help in the
intertidal zone.
What is involved? On the morning of May 18th, Ms. Karen Duhring,
Marine Scientist in the VIMS Wetlands Program, will provide training on both
the value of marshgrass in the environment and the “nuts and bolts” of how to
plant it. Her program will start
promptly at 10:00 AM at St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Heathsville. This is a great way for all of us to learn
more about the value of our marshes and their contribution to the well being of
our ecosystem. It will also give those
who live on the water the basic information needed to improve marshgrass
buffers at home.
After learning the right way to
plant intertidal grass, we will proceed to our demonstration planting
site. This year’s site selection is an
eroded point near Olverson’s Marina -- on Lodge Creek in Lottsburg. Marshgrass has been ordered (1440 grass
plugs) and will be delivered in early May.
The Planting day, May 18, has been chosen to take advantage of a mid-day
low tide at Lodge Creek. The site
terrain is a gentle sandy slope into the water with nearly full sun. We will Install coconut logs on part of the
site at the mid-tide mark as part of an experiment to determine their value as
a buffer system against wave action.
This will involve driving oak stakes on each side of the logs to hold
them in place -- great exercise. We
will then “scribe” the sand in 18” intervals to provide a grid for grass
installation from high water down to almost mid-tide. The grass will be planted using a dibble (or stake) and a little
slow release fertilizer.
Is there
a better way to meet and get to know other concerned citizens than working side
by side toward a common goal? To
enhance the natural camaraderie of a team effort, Mr. Olverson, site owner, has
offered to have a grill going at noon to support all of the hard workers. This should be a fun time that truly
provides tangible benefit to at least a small shoreline in our county. The site will be maintained as a
demonstration site for all who wish to learn.
Next steps are up to all of us as we learn more about stewardship of our
waterways -- together.
To participate on the core NAPS
marshgrass planting team -- please contact NAPS at P.O. Box 567, Heathsville,
VA 22473 or contact a member of the NAPS Grass Steering Group -- Lee Allain,
Mike Harwood, Lynton Land, Dick Steelman or Hoyt Wheeland. Additional background information can be
found at our web site, www.geocities.com/northumberlandnaps
Email is a very convenient method of
communication. If you have email
access, please supply your email address when renewing your membership. Giving us your email address indicates your
agreement for NAPS to use it. Your
address will be used when contacting all members such as to determine a course
of action, in effect, a voting procedure.
By Don Pumroy
As reported in the last Newsletter, we sent out Dr.
McIntire’s book to forty seniors in Northumberland High School who had applied
for any scholarship and would be going to college in the fall. The book, titled “College Keys”, is written
for students entering college and we hope the student will be helped in
adjusting to college. Also along with
the book we sent a NAPS brochure and a letter wishing the student good luck and
telling a little about NAPS. In May,
Susan Stubbs and I will be interviewing the applicants for the NAPS
Scholarships.. There will be four $500 Scholarships that will be awarded to
deserving students. We will select the
winners and their names will be announced at the Senior Chapel in May.
Friends of Hughlett Point
/Dameron Marsh
By Jane and Sibley Towner
Volunteers are needed to monitor the two State Natural Area Preserves on the Chesapeake Bay shore in Northumberland County. Spend an occasional hour or two
To
express your interest in being a great or small part of this effort, contact
Jane and Sibley Towner, volunteer coordinators, at 435-3566 (jtowner@rivnet.net). Alternatively, you may contact NAPS
Vice-President Lynton Land at 453-6605 (JandL@rivnet.net).
More
information about this effort will be forthcoming, prior to a June Start-up.
Two new board members were elected at the annual
meeting, Cary Caton and Susan Lindsey.
A biography of each follows.
Susan
was born and raised in the UK. After
university, she spent two years with VSO (Voluntary Service Overseas – Brit
equivalent of Peace Corps) as an English teacher in West Cameroon. She also
spent two years teaching in Uruguay where she met her future husband, a
diplomat at the US Embassy.
Married,
she had two years in Mexico (a son was born), 3 years in Washington – one year
at George Mason University, then back overseas for another 12 years at several
places around the world.
Her
personal career in teaching continued as Vice-Principal of Colombo
International School, four years graduate studies at Victoria University of
Wellington (B.Educational Studies, MA in International Education), Principal of
American International School of Freetown.
They
returned to the US in 1990. For 6 years
Susan was on the staff at George Mason University, mainly as International
Student Program Advisor. They moved to
the Northern Neck in 1997.
Her
activities here include work as Coordinator of the Northern Neck Master
Gardeners and a volunteer tutor at Northumberland Middle School and Elementary
School
Susan
always wanted to move into a rural area, create a garden (stay in one place
long enough to plant a tree and see it grow), do volunteer teaching – after a
peripatetic life, the NNK is the ideal spot!
A long time interest/concern in environmental issues is now enhanced by
the responsibilities
and challenges of living in such a lovely region.
Ed. Note; with the shortened version above, do you still think you have been around the world?
Unfortunately,
due to family problems and computer problems it was not possible to get a
biography from Cary. Cary has been
active in the sludge project for some time.
She has been active in various high level jobs in the political
world. It is best that we reserve her
biography until she has time and a computer that works. The necessities of schedules requires that
the newsletter be published on a schedule.
NAPS Distinguished Citizens
Award
The
NDCA is given annually to honor an individual, team, organization, or business
which advances the goals of NAPS. These
goals include improving water quality of the Chesapeake Bay and tributaries;
fostering and preserving the counties rural atmosphere; promoting and
monitoring land use policies; encouraging economic growth to promote jobs; and,
cooperating with others through educational programs to target these
goals. Nominations are due to Randy
Neal by July 1. (453 6625)
Editorial
You
have heard it before and you will hear it again and again. The group needs help in increasing our
membership. NAPS members who invite
friends to join this group are most helpful.
Recruiting new supporters is a great way to keep NAPS strong.
Have
you invited new neighbors to join NAPS?
Please share information about our goals with people who care about our
environmental heritage. Remember,
Northumberland County is going to grow.
Let’s help it grow with order and beauty.
We
are incorporating a new idea in this newsletter. There is a tear-out portion that is a membership application on
page 5. All you will lose is the
editorial. You can give the application
to a prospective member!
The
Board of Directors is attempting to get as many email addresses as possible in
order that the membership can be contacted quickly should the need arise. Your cooperation in this matter would be
most helpful.
NAPS 2002 Calendar
The NAPS board meets at the Northern Neck State Bank
in Burgess at 9:00 A.M. each month on the Wednesdays immediately preceding
Northumberland Board of Supervisors meetings (second Thursday). NAPS members and prospective members are
always welcome.
May
8 NAPS Board Meeting
18 Planting instructions
18 Grass Planting
June
12 NAPS Board Meeting
July
1 Deadline for NDSA nominations to
R. Neal
10 NAPS Board Meeting
August
7 NAPS Board Meeting
September
11 NAPS Board Meeting
22 NAPS Annual Social
October
9 NAPS Board Meeting
November
13 NAPS Board Meeting