Dear Members, Activists and Friends:
Vermont Yankee is in the news again because officials have found radioactive tritium in a new well. This time, it's a well that had been used for drinking water as recently as last March.
Click here to read a well-researched story from VTDigger outlining what regulators in other states have done to address tritium leaks at other nuclear power plants.
Here in Vermont, we need your help to put pressure on our own officials. They need to get serious and crack down on Vermont Yankee.
Ever since the tritium leak at VY was discovered earlier this year, VY has been downplaying the spill, saying the tritium was not in drinking water.
But VNRC, in recent legal filings before state regulators, has pointed out that under Vermont law, the state’s groundwater – all of it – is a public trust resource and should be managed and protected for all Vermonters. Now, with this most recent news, VY has been stripped even of the flimsy “it’s not in the drinking water” defense.
Aquifers are connected. Ignoring that is like suggesting that venom from a snake bite on your hand will never flow to your heart.
Here is what you can do, right now: contact the office of Gov. Jim Douglas, and tell him to order the Agency of Natural Resources to do its job and crack down on the poisoning of our groundwater at Vermont Yankee. Call his office today at 802-828-3333. Or, you can quickly go to his website here and write a note.
Please, do this today.
On another water issue, this time on our northern boundary . . .
The federal Environmental Protection Agency recently ordered Jay Peak ski area to restore wetlands after the resort filled in wetlands and streams with dirt, sand and rocks, in violation of the Clean Water Act. This action by EPA is largely the result of VNRC’s persistent and detailed work, over several years, to highlight the water quality problems at Jay Peak. Click here for more information about VNRC’s on-the-ground stormwater work, including a copy of a VNRC report, “Unchecked and Illegal – How ANR is Failing to Protect Vermont’s Lakes and Streams.”
Our work to protect Vermont’s precious water resources would not be possible without members like you. Thanks for all you do!
The VNRC Team
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
E-coli Results 7-14-10
2010 West River Watershed Alliance
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
(Updated July 15, 2010)
* State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
is available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Recreational
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30 July 14
Milk House Meadows 36 & 40 89*
Brattleboro Professional Center 23 52
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19 12
Brookline Bridge 52 26
Townsend, Ellen Ware Road 43 No Data Available
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102 * 1987*
So. Lndndry., Cobb’s swim hole 51 613 & 867*
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185 * No Data Available
Ball Mountain Brook
Jamaica Village 6 60
Williams River
Bartonsville Bridge 145 & 205 * 138*
Rainbow Rock, Chester 112 * 291*
Saxtons River
Bellows Falls “sandy beach” 65 210*
Saxtons River Center 54 145 & 179*
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
(Updated July 15, 2010)
* State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml. of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
is available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Recreational
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30 July 14
Milk House Meadows 36 & 40 89*
Brattleboro Professional Center 23 52
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19 12
Brookline Bridge 52 26
Townsend, Ellen Ware Road 43 No Data Available
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102 * 1987*
So. Lndndry., Cobb’s swim hole 51 613 & 867*
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185 * No Data Available
Ball Mountain Brook
Jamaica Village 6 60
Williams River
Bartonsville Bridge 145 & 205 * 138*
Rainbow Rock, Chester 112 * 291*
Saxtons River
Bellows Falls “sandy beach” 65 210*
Saxtons River Center 54 145 & 179*
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Recreational Sites &
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30Milk House Meadows 36 & 40
Brattleboro Professional Center 23
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19
Brookline Bridge 52
Ellen Ware Road 43
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102
Cobb’s swim hole 51
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185
Ball Mountain BrookJamaica village 6
Williams RiverBartonsville bridge 145 & 205
Rainbow Rock 112
Saxtons RiverBellows Falls “sandy beach” 65
Saxtons River Center 54
2010 West River Watershed Alliance
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
are available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Swimming Holes
Escherichia coli
(E. coli) per 100 ml. water
Sampling Results
West River June 30Milk House Meadows 36 & 40
Brattleboro Professional Center 23
Dummerston Covered Bridge 19
Brookline Bridge 52
Ellen Ware Road 43
So. Londonderry, Rowes Road 102
Cobb’s swim hole 51
Whetstone Brook
Behind Brattleboro Food Coop 185
Ball Mountain BrookJamaica village 6
Williams RiverBartonsville bridge 145 & 205
Rainbow Rock 112
Saxtons RiverBellows Falls “sandy beach” 65
Saxtons River Center 54
2010 West River Watershed Alliance
Bi-weekly E.coli Level Report
State of Vermont Standard = 77 Escherichia coli (E. coli) organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
EPA’s National Standard = 235 E. coli organisms per 100 ml of water sample.
E. coli is a species of fecal coliform bacteria found in fecal material
from humans and other warm-blooded animals.
EPA recommends E. coli as an indicator of health risk from water contact in recreational waters.
Elevated E.coli levels are most likely due to excessive rain prior to sampling.
Swim at your own discretion.
Please note that changes in river conditions will alter bacterial levels over time.
Testing results are provided as a public service by the West River Watershed Alliance (WRWA),
also known as Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA),
and is supported by State of VT’s LaRosa Environmental Testing Laboratory and
Connecticut River Watershed Council (CRWC).
E. coli information for State parks and Army Corps of Engineers facilities
are available through those agencies.
Contact Laurie Callahan, Program Coordinator (volunteer), with questions
or if you would like to volunteer for WRWA programs. 802-258-1877
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
Bugging OUT: Family Stream Adventure
The SeVWA has partnered with the Nature Museum at Grafton to offer two educational programs this spring and summer. Read below to see all that's coming up next and spread the word! Hope to see you there .. Rebecca
Bugging Out: Family Stream Adventure
When: Sat, June 26, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Grafton, VT (map)
Description:
Meet at the Nature Museum. $20/family (1a + 2k) $5/extra kid ...$10/extra adult. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA). Join Rebecca Salem of the SeVWA in this adventure for the whole family. This workshop will give participants the chance to learn about the water cycle and its relationship to the life cycles of dragonflies, mayflies, and other common insects. We will splash around in the stream near the Nature Museum looking under rocks and sifting through the stream bottom to find the many animals that live there. As we learn to identify what we find we will explore how these tiny creatures have adapted to survive in different types of streams and rivers. Be sure to bring a water bottle and sturdy shoes for walking in the stream. Please pre-register. 15 participants maximum.
Bugging Out: Family Stream Adventure
When: Sat, June 26, 1pm – 3pm
Where: Grafton, VT (map)
Description:
Meet at the Nature Museum. $20/family (1a + 2k) $5/extra kid ...$10/extra adult. Half of the proceeds will be donated to Southeastern Vermont Watershed Alliance (SeVWA). Join Rebecca Salem of the SeVWA in this adventure for the whole family. This workshop will give participants the chance to learn about the water cycle and its relationship to the life cycles of dragonflies, mayflies, and other common insects. We will splash around in the stream near the Nature Museum looking under rocks and sifting through the stream bottom to find the many animals that live there. As we learn to identify what we find we will explore how these tiny creatures have adapted to survive in different types of streams and rivers. Be sure to bring a water bottle and sturdy shoes for walking in the stream. Please pre-register. 15 participants maximum.
Monday, September 28, 2009
FREE YOUR EVENT FROM BOTTLED WATER
A Practical Guide to Take Back the Tap at Your Next Event and Avoid the Waste, Expense and Environmental Problems with Bottled Water
Differentiate your event from others by joining the surging nationwide movement to kick the bottled water habit and Take Back the Tap. Instead of buying into the myth of purity in a bottle and littering the landscape with empty water bottles, use this guide to free your event from bottled water.
Big city mayors, including those in San Francisco, Salt Lake City, Minneapolis and New York City, are joining in this effort by prohibiting the use of city funding for bottled water — effectively eliminating it in all city buildings and city-funded events. Restaurants are stopping the sale of non-carbonated bottled water. Event planners are also joining this movement. From small, catered events to large conferences and trade shows, freeing events from bottled water is becoming more and more common.
During the Labor Day weekend in 2008, San Francisco will host the inaugural convention of Slow Food Nation. The event, expected to attract up to 50,000 people over three days, will exclude bottled water. Food & Water Watch will coordinate the delivery of tap water for all attendees. As part of this mass hydration effort, we’ve developed this guide to ease the way for other event planners who want to break free from bottled water
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Save Water and get a Dishwasher!
The latest news from River Network ....
From now until October 15th, you have the opportunity to secure millions of dollars in rebates for water and energy efficient appliances.
The U.S. Department of Energy is funneling $300 million to states through the new State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. The funding will allow states to design and implement rebate programs that encourage consumers to turn in their old, inefficient appliances for new ENERGY STAR models. Water-efficient dishwashers and clothes washers are included under the ENERGY STAR label and with your help we hope that they are targeted to receive the biggest rebates
River Network would like to encourage you to contact your state's energy office and urge them to prioritize appliances that use water. Rebates are expected to range between $50 and $250 per unit, so make sure that clothes washers and dishwashers receive the maximum amount.
To make this task easier we have provided contact information for every state's energy office and a draft letter describing the benefits of this approach. To download these documents, visit our website. States have until October 15th to submit their proposals, so contact your energy office today!
For more information on this opportunity, including state energy office contacts and a draft letter, see our webpage at: www.rivernetwork.org/stimulus-funds-for-water-efficiency.
From now until October 15th, you have the opportunity to secure millions of dollars in rebates for water and energy efficient appliances.
The U.S. Department of Energy is funneling $300 million to states through the new State Energy Efficient Appliance Rebate Program. The funding will allow states to design and implement rebate programs that encourage consumers to turn in their old, inefficient appliances for new ENERGY STAR models. Water-efficient dishwashers and clothes washers are included under the ENERGY STAR label and with your help we hope that they are targeted to receive the biggest rebates
River Network would like to encourage you to contact your state's energy office and urge them to prioritize appliances that use water. Rebates are expected to range between $50 and $250 per unit, so make sure that clothes washers and dishwashers receive the maximum amount.
To make this task easier we have provided contact information for every state's energy office and a draft letter describing the benefits of this approach. To download these documents, visit our website. States have until October 15th to submit their proposals, so contact your energy office today!
For more information on this opportunity, including state energy office contacts and a draft letter, see our webpage at: www.rivernetwork.org/stimulus-funds-for-water-efficiency.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
VIP (Vermont Invasives Patrollers) Workshop
The West River Watershed Alliance and Laurie Callahan are hosting a Vermont Invasive Patrollers (VIP) workshop on Saturday August 22 from 10-2:30. The workshop has two parts – an indoor portion followed by an “on-the-water” session. The indoor part will be held at the Town Office Building on Old School Street in South Londonderry, VT from 10 until noon and the “on-the-water” session will take place at Gale Meadows Pond, a short driving distance SW of South Londonderry, from 12:30–2:30 PM. Gale Meadows Pond is in the upper reaches of the West River watershed.
During the second part of the workshop at Gale Meadows Pond the group will launch from the VT Fish & Game boating access just above the outlet dam. At the pond participants will be trained to conduct an aquatic species survey – primarily looking for invasive aquatic plants, but also learning about native aquatic species and habitats. Eurasian milfoil has been found at Gale Meadows Pond in the past – and observed there in October of 2008. Attendees will need to bring a canoe, kayak or other non-motorized shallow draft boat for the “on-the-water” session. Also, please bring a lunch, water and other necessities for the day.
Leslie Matthews, of the Water Quality Division of VT Department of Conservation, will be the presenter and the leader of the field session. Callahan, an aquatic biologist, will assist Matthews in both portions of the workshop.
VIPs provide the first line of defense against harmful invasive species that can threaten the ecology and recreational potential of our lakes and rivers. They are trained to conduct systematic surveys for aquatic invaders like Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels. Early detection is vital to protecting Vermont’s waterbodies from invasive plants and animals. When invasive species are detected soon after introduction, before having a chance to become well established, they can often be managed more effectively, and perhaps even eradicated.
The workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register online at http://www.vtwaterquality.org/cfm/vip/vip_registration.cfm. You can contact Leslie Matthews at leslie.matthews@state.vt.us or at (802) 241-3798. For more information about the workshop or lfor directions to locations contact Laurie Callahan at therivermist@hotmail.com or (802) 258-1877.
During the second part of the workshop at Gale Meadows Pond the group will launch from the VT Fish & Game boating access just above the outlet dam. At the pond participants will be trained to conduct an aquatic species survey – primarily looking for invasive aquatic plants, but also learning about native aquatic species and habitats. Eurasian milfoil has been found at Gale Meadows Pond in the past – and observed there in October of 2008. Attendees will need to bring a canoe, kayak or other non-motorized shallow draft boat for the “on-the-water” session. Also, please bring a lunch, water and other necessities for the day.
Leslie Matthews, of the Water Quality Division of VT Department of Conservation, will be the presenter and the leader of the field session. Callahan, an aquatic biologist, will assist Matthews in both portions of the workshop.
VIPs provide the first line of defense against harmful invasive species that can threaten the ecology and recreational potential of our lakes and rivers. They are trained to conduct systematic surveys for aquatic invaders like Eurasian milfoil and zebra mussels. Early detection is vital to protecting Vermont’s waterbodies from invasive plants and animals. When invasive species are detected soon after introduction, before having a chance to become well established, they can often be managed more effectively, and perhaps even eradicated.
The workshop is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Register online at http://www.vtwaterquality.org/cfm/vip/vip_registration.cfm. You can contact Leslie Matthews at leslie.matthews@state.vt.us or at (802) 241-3798. For more information about the workshop or lfor directions to locations contact Laurie Callahan at therivermist@hotmail.com or (802) 258-1877.
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