Northumberland Association for Progressive Stewardship

Northumberland is going to grow.  Let’s help it grow with order and beauty.

NAPS NEWS

Winter 2002     Volume 11, Issue 1

 

 

The President's Letter

 

Happy New Year.

 

Our annual meeting will be held on February 16 at St. Stephen's Church, Heathsville at 9:30 AM for coffee, etc, with our program beginning about10:00 AM. Please mark your calendar.

 

Our speaker will be Ms. Jetta Schneider of Deq addressing TMDL (total maximum daily loads) studies in Northumberland County.

 

And we will have two directors to elect. Our nominating committee, headed by Joel Stubbs, is hard at work looking for new directors. Please contact him if you are interested in serving (580-4110).

 

This past year as usual we attended most of the Supervisor's and Planning Commission meetings. The most controversial one concerned a new application by a contractor to spread sludge on many farms. The hearing did not result in approval, with the board deciding to wait for a decision by the state health department. This resulted in an information meeting held by the state health department. To date, to my knowledge, no sludge has been spread.

 

NAPS was invited to the two wonderful public events at St. Stevens Episcopal Church in Heathsville. Thanks to those who helped staff our booth. This is a good chance to tell our story.

 

We are continuing to look at projects that will replace our most visible project, our annual river cleanup. We are working on several new ideas which will be discussed at our meeting.

 

I hope we have a good turnout for our annual meeting. Please come.

 

Randolph H Neal, President

 

 

Acorns, Cones and Walnuts

 

This fall, we learned that state nurseries are experiencing a shortage of native sapling stock due to the ever-increasing demand for trees, particularly for ecological restoration projects. To replenish the supply of native seedlings and ensure diversity in the tree stock, the Potomac Watershed Partnership sponsored an effort to collect large numbers of seeds from nine kinds of native trees, including oaks, walnuts, ashes and bald cypress. The seeds will be planted at state nurseries and the seedlings transplanted in approximately two years to create diverse and healthy streamside forests, which are the key to maintaining and improving water quality and providing wildlife habitat. NAPS and Audubon started to organize a community seed collection effort at Hickory Hollow until we realized that it was a lousy year for acorns. Despite mother nature¹s lack of cooperation, we managed to collect several gallons of willow oak acorns, a couple quarts of Northern Red Oak acorns, and a few cypress cones. We never found any ash trees. Two collection sites were established for black walnuts and so many people delivered them that we were ordered to halt our efforts after the second pick-up load was trucked to the nursery. Many thanks to everyone who helped, and especially to our resident foresters. This effort is likely to continue annually, and we¹ll try to get the word out in a timely fashion next year. In the meantime, be on the lookout for native ash trees!

 

Erosion

A Public Service Announcement

 

Shoreline erosion is rampant throughout the Chesapeake Bay region, even in the smallest creeks. The eroded sediment causes our creeks to shoal up, and smothers oyster beds. There are three reasons why so much erosion is taking place, and we can all do something about two of them. We can¹t do anything about the fact that Virginia¹s Coastal Plain is sinking about 2 mm each year. It¹s just bad luck. But we can do something about the fact that global sea level is rising about 2 mm each year because of global warming.  Increased coastal flooding caused by rising sea level is just one reason we all need to conserve fossil fuels. Boat wakes are the third reason our creek banks are eroding away.

 

Here is the NAPS Stewardship "Tip-of-the-month":  When boating, never make waves larger than Nature makes, especially in small waterways.

 

This message was broadcast through the courtesy of both Windy 105 (WNDJ-FM 104.9) and WKWI-FM 101.7.  The above announcement is one of a sequence aired by the stations.

 

NAPS Social a Success

 

The NAPS Social, piloted by Mary Lou Butler, was the outstanding function of the year.  On September 22 members and guests gathered at the beautiful home of David Aylward and Cary Caton.  Though the parking by the house was extremely limited, the bus service provided by Bay Transit was conveniently effective in moving people between remote parking and the house.  Everybody seemed to enjoy the location and the wonderful food that was prepared by members.  The $1000 ± profit (which goes into the general fund) is sufficient to pay half the cost of scholarships for Northumberland students this year.

 

A highlight of the social was the presentation by Mary Lou Butler of the NAPS Distinguished Citizen Award to Adele and Mike Harwood (See photo at right).  Mike and Adele certainly richly deserved the award.  They seem to be continuously working voluntarily for the community.  For NAPS Mike is busy with the sludge control plans as well as planning the planting of grasses.  He cannot be stopped!  Did you work with Adele on the preparations for the Interfaith Christmas grocery distribution program?  She had it so well organized that all were amazed at how quickly it was completed.  Adele and Mike work together well as a team.

 


 


Mike giving acceptance speech, Adele viewing award

 

 

Education Committee Official Report

By Donald Pumroy

dpumroy@earthlink.net

 

It is scholarship time again for the seniors at Northumberland High School who will be going to institutions of higher learning in the fall.  I have been in touch with Krista Hundley, the Guidance Counselor at the school, and gave her an announcement about our four $500 scholarships.  We plan to give a copy of the book, “College Keys” by Dr. Roger McIntire, to each of the students applying for our scholarship.  The Board of Directors discussed the possibility of giving a copy of the book to all students applying for any scholarship.. Hopefully the information contained in the book will help the student to be successful in college.  It is also hoped that doing so will enhance the image and visibility of NAPS.  The possibility of giving the book to all applicants for scholarships will be explored.

 

You may have noticed the NAPS Display at the Northumberland Public Library.. Lynton Land, Susan Stubbs, and I put it up the first of December and it will be up until the end of January.  Drop by and check it out; we would appreciate any reaction.  Happy New Year!

 

5th Great Backyard Bird Count

 

The dates for the Audubon/Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology 5th Great Backyard Bird Count are February 15 – 18, 2002.  On any or all the above count dates simply note the species of birds and the largest number of that species you see at any one time.  You can do this at your own bird feeder, or walking up to one mile in your neighborhood or in a park.  Watch the birds for at least 15 minutes on each day you participate.  Then enter your counts on-line at the Great Backyard Bird Count site (http///www.birdsource.org) and use the State/Province Checklist to submit your highest counts for that day.  If you count on more than one day then you must submit data for each day.  There are forms available to use for mailing in your sightings.  After you have entered your count for the day on the Web, visit the Map-room and see results from across the continent.  If you need help or do not have web access, please call Audrey Brainard at 580 5519 or Tom Teeples at 435 0636.

 

Impaired Bay

 

Chesapeake Bay is impaired! It's true. Chesapeake Bay is on EPA's "impaired waters" list. If we don't voluntarily reduce the input of nitrate and phosphate into the Bay by 2010 we face Federal regulations. Here are some things most of us can do which will improve the quality of the water in our waterways to the benefit of our commercial and recreational fisheries and all our citizens:

 

Maintain septic systems wisely. Have the tank inspected every 5 years, and pumped if necessary. Minimize both the solids and water that go down the drain. Don't use garbage disposals.

Minimize the use of fertilizer. Never use more fertilizer or lawn chemicals than is recommended.

Never throw anything in the water. Nature provides abundant food for our marine life. Nothing we add to the water improves the health of our waterways.

 

Ask yourself: "How do I release nitrate and phosphate to the environment?" "How can I minimize my contribution to this problem?"

 

Another Public Service Announcement aired by WNDJ and WKWI. These and other NAPS articles are available on the NAPS Website,  www.geocities.com/northumberlandnaps

 

 

NAPS Spring Grass Planting

By Lee R. Allain

 

It’s a wonderful life for most of us who live here on the Northern Neck!  All of us are privileged to live on or near our rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.  It’s reassuring to watch the annual resurgence of life in the spring as the shadbush blooms and the carp return to our creeks for their annual spawning.  Who can resist the cloudless tranquil days of our summers, catching crabs and hardheads, joining with neighbors who seem always ready for steamed crabs.  A little “Old Bay” and away we go.  Many of us join the chase for that ever elusive monster rockfish every fall as it migrates through the bay on its way to the ocean.  Even the winter, with its opportunity for a little hunting and some salty oysters, is hard to beat. 

 

Living close to the water bears some responsibility however.  The ecosystem we refer to as “the bay” is very sensitive to the intrusion of man.  Whenever we “clear” a lot to build a house we risk the balance of the system.  In fact, the bay needs an opportunity to rejuvenate itself now.  Under the definitions of the EPA, our bay is an impaired waterway and will be subject to vigorous governmental control by 2010 unless we all take action to improve water quality.  There are things you and I can do to protect our bay and improve water quality. 

 

NAPS has sponsored several public education efforts, led many local shoreline cleanup activities, and has gathered tree seeds/nuts in support of the states effort to extend shoreline buffer systems.  Shoreward plantings of native grass, shrubs and trees form our first line of defense against erosion and pollutant runoff.  Waterward, nature depends on natural cordgrass in the intertidal area to reduce erosion and to provide a home for shrimp, crabs, and many other marine creatures who are near the bottom of the food chain so necessary for healthy bay life.  Saltmarsh cordgrass, or Spartina Alterniflora, with a few notable exceptions, is still doing well in many areas of our county.  Sub-aquatic vegetation (SAV), like eelgrass, is almost absent in many of our coves, creeks and rivers.  Before we can expect SAV to grow, we must improve water clarity enough so that light can penetrate our waters to a depth of at least six feet.  Our first steps must be in the landward buffers and the intertidal areas.  Particulate and nutrients must be denied access to the water through properly buffered shorelines, and the intertidal areas must be stabilized with grass so that storm runoff or strong wave action does not result in immediate clouds of mud and silt.  In addition to muddying the water and causing the creeks to shoal up, the sediment particles smother filter- feeding organisms like oysters. 

 

 

 

New construction sites, cutting timber or planting crops too close to streams, unnatural wave action caused by boat and personal watercraft wakes, heavy shading, and occasional storm damage threaten the important work of these natural buffers. 

 

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 marshes and SAV. 

 

This Spring NAPS will be planting Marsh Grass!

 

You can be part of our “grass roots” environmental restoration effort by planting intertidal cordgrass. This is a logical next phase to our Shoreline Cleanups.

Intertidal grass helps the environment by :

 

•      reducing the erosion and silting caused by boat wakes and storms

•      reducing the erosion and silt caused by land runoff

•      providing an environment for grass shrimp, crabs and small fish. 

 

Join with us as we plan this new Spring Stewardship event.  Together we’ve had fun and great success at cleaning up our shorelines and rivers!  Now it is time to initiate restoration of the natural marsh grass boundary that protects our rivers and streams from erosion and completes the riparian buffer. We are now in the process of finalizing sites for restoration with a goal to “restore” at least 500 feet of shoreline in 2002. VIMS supports this effort and will provide information about how they have planted intertidal grass with good success.  This will be 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. 

Marshgrass has been ordered (1440 grass plugs) and will be delivered in early May.  Planting will be scheduled during a low-tide interval at two separate sites.  Join us as we play in the mud and enjoy good food and good fellowship.

 

To participate in this important community project, 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. 

 

Sludge

 

Led energetically by past-president and Distinguished Citizen Mike Harwood and a team of dedicated professionals, NAPS has been very active fighting  the land  application  of sewage sludge  within  the county. We  are very fortunate  to have the support of most of our elected Board of Supervisors. Three of our efforts can be viewed at our web site: www.geocities.com/northumberlandnaps:

 

1)     With the help of Rev. Gayl Fowler we have prepared a brief “Question and Answer” flier to provide short answers to frequently asked questions,

2)     We prepared a “position paper”, unanimously adopted by the Board in December, which states and documents our position based on Federal and academic publications available on the world-wide web. We urge all interested members to use this document to inform themselves about this issue,

3)     We are having an exchange with the Virginia Health Department about their policy of permitting land application of sludge (at trillions of bacteria per truckload) in a county where 14 bacteria per 100 ml of water triggers restricted harvesting of shellfish.

 

We are also starting a campaign to introduce legislation which would change the Code of Virginia to grant “…authority of a locality to enact ordinances that prohibit or otherwise restrict, regulate, or create requirements, relating to the land application of sewage sludge within each locality.” It is our belief that our citizenry and our elected officials should be able to make decisions about what is best for the County, and not be restricted by State mandates, as is currently the case. The campaign will be led by Cary Caton (580-5922 or –8500) and we need your help to:

1)     Help Cary organize the effort,

2)     Canvas citizens door-to-door with information and ask people to sign a petition to the State Legislature,

3)     Lend your expertise in any way you see fit, especially in contacting citizens and elected officials in other counties. Del. Pollard has promised to introduce the legislation and has encouraged us to hire a lobbying firm. We have already raised $7,500 from the Board of Supervisors and NAPS as Northumberland County’s contribution toward this goal. The County's contribution is contingent upon us obtaining at least $5,000 each from six other counties. Those in the “know” assure us that a formal lobbying effort is essential if we are to be successful,

4)     Writing letters to elected officials and meeting with various “politicos” in Richmond during the upcoming legislative session.

 

We have no illusion that this will be an easy enterprise, as the sewage sludge industry has far more financial resources than ourselves. What they do not have is the enthusiastic support of people like you. Let’s all get behind this issue to allow us to decide what can and what cannot be imported into our County.

 

 

New Members

 

We would like to welcome the new members that have joined NAPS during 2001.  The following list is all the new members of which the Editor is aware.

 

Allain, Lee & Wonda

Aylward David & Cary Caton

Cockrell, Cornelia

Crow, Lon

Culp, Richard & Karen

Dunnington, Mrs Robin

Gutowski, Monika Smith

Hardy, Rives & Elizabeth

Johnsen, Lance & Maryalyce

Johnson, Neil

Johnson, Anthon & Frances

Johnson, Paul & Rita

Lundegard, Loyal & Doris

Marten, Adrienne

Miller, Thomas

Morris, Rev. Thomas & Mrs. Eleanor

Newsome, Jefferson, Jr.

Pohler, Margaret

Tricarico, Rocco & Barbara

Wolfe, Margaret

If your name is Johnson or Johnsen you are in the majority.

 

 

 

Distinguished Members

 

The  following have been designated Distinguished Members

 

Hinton, Meade, Sr.                                        1990*

Cochran, Col. Mickey                                   1991*

Haynie, Miriam Williams                              1992

Butler, Mary Lou                                           1993

Kier, Porter & Mary                                       1994

Morris, Rev. Thomas Wright                       1995

Fisher, Alfred, Jr.                                           1996

Stansbury, Warren                                        1997

Robinson, Robert & Martha                        1998

Reedville Fisherman’s Museum                  1999

Rose, Ralph & Isabel                                    2000

Harwood, Mike & Adele                              2001

 

*              Deceased

 

 

 

Email is a very convenient method of communication.  If you have email access, please supply your email address when renewing your membership.

 

 

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

 

December

11            NAPS Board Meeting