James River Website and Data

The JRA (James River Association http://www.jamesriverassociation.org/home.html) is another organization who work to promote the environmental preservation and restoration of the JRW (James River Watershed). Did you know that 25% of Virginia is part of the James River Watershed and home to 1/3 of all Virginians? Here are some interesting data regarding the leading cause of pollution in the watershed and what individuals can do:

What can you do?
One of the most difficult things the river has to face is runoff pollution from lawns, farms, parking lots and development. The best thing that we can do to protect the James is to start at home. Here are some ways to minimize your impact on the River.

1. Lawn Fertilizer – minimize or eliminate lawn fertilizer. Some sources estimate that 40% of commercial fertilizer sold goes to non-agricultural uses. Mulching lawn clippings can retain nutrients on the lawn rather than removing them.

2. Roof runoff – direct down spouts to unpaved areas so rainwater can infiltrate into the ground rather than running off into a nearby stormdrain. Rain barrels and rain gardens can help hold initial runoff and use it productively for plants in your yard. In some developed areas, as much as 60% of the sediment pollution damaging streams results from increased runoff.

3. Conserve energy – There are many ways to save energy. As much as one-third of the damaging nitrogen entering Virginia’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay comes from air pollution, of which power plants are a major source. Coal fired power plants also produce mercury that is the cause of widespread fish advisories.

4. Drive less – Combine errands into a single trip or use alternative transportation. Auto emissions is the other major source of air pollution that threatens Virginia’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay

5. Talk to your elected officials – tell your state delegates and senators that clean water is important to you and that you want a dedicated funding source for clean water in the 2006 General Assembly. Citizens can play an important role to make sure Virginia’s rivers and Chesapeake Bay get the resources they need to be healthy.
(http://www.jamesriverassociation.org/getinvolved_whatcanyoudo.html)
Another Pic of the JRW (in green)