oyster restoration in the lynnhaven river. watershed a watershed is an area of land that drains to a...
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Oyster Restoration in the Oyster Restoration in the Lynnhaven RiverLynnhaven River
WatershedWatershed
• A watershed is an area of land that A watershed is an area of land that drains to a common point.drains to a common point.
• It is the area land that catches the It is the area land that catches the rain and snow and drains or seeps rain and snow and drains or seeps into a marsh, stream, river, lake or into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater.groundwater.
Point and Non-Point SourcesPoint and Non-Point Sources
• Point Source Pollution:Point Source Pollution:Pollution originating from a discrete source Pollution originating from a discrete source
(a pipe, factory, farm, ditch, etc.)(a pipe, factory, farm, ditch, etc.)
• Non-Point Source Pollution:Non-Point Source Pollution:Pollution discharged over a wide land area, Pollution discharged over a wide land area,
not from one specific location, occurs not from one specific location, occurs when rainwater or irrigation drains off of when rainwater or irrigation drains off of plowed fields, city streets and parking lots, plowed fields, city streets and parking lots, or suburban backyards. More than 50% of or suburban backyards. More than 50% of all water pollution in the US.all water pollution in the US.
Common Classes of Common Classes of PollutantsPollutants• SedimentsSediments
• NutrientsNutrients
• Toxins (heavy metals, petroleum Toxins (heavy metals, petroleum products, pesticides, road salt, etc.)products, pesticides, road salt, etc.)
• BacteriaBacteria
Green Filter or Gray FunnelGreen Filter or Gray Funnel
Lynnhaven River Lynnhaven River WatershedWatershed
The Lynnhaven The Lynnhaven WatershedWatershed
• Covers 21% of the city’s land area--- Covers 21% of the city’s land area--- 64 square miles64 square miles
• Is home to 47% of the city’s Is home to 47% of the city’s population---200,000 peoplepopulation---200,000 people
• Includes Broad Bay, Linkhorn Bay, Includes Broad Bay, Linkhorn Bay, Crystal Lake, and the Eastern and Crystal Lake, and the Eastern and Western BranchesWestern Branches
Largely ResidentialLargely Residential
Virginia Beach Population Virginia Beach Population GrowthGrowth
• 1905 -- 11,0001905 -- 11,000• 1940 -- 19,0001940 -- 19,000• 1950 – 42,0001950 – 42,000• 1960 -- 84,0001960 -- 84,000• 1970 – 172,0001970 – 172,000• 1980 – 262,0001980 – 262,000• 1990 – 393,0001990 – 393,000• 2000 – 425,0002000 – 425,000• 2006 – 445,0002006 – 445,000
December 11, 2003
January 21, 2005
Virginia Department of HealthVirginia Department of HealthAreas Closed to Oyster Areas Closed to Oyster HarvestHarvest
Condition of the LynnhavenCondition of the Lynnhaven
• Water Quality Problems:Water Quality Problems:•Bacteria (mainly fecal coliform)Bacteria (mainly fecal coliform)•Excess NutrientsExcess Nutrients•SedimentSediment•ToxinsToxins
• Habitat Loss:Habitat Loss:•Oyster ReefsOyster Reefs•Wetland & Buffer HabitatsWetland & Buffer Habitats•Underwater GrassesUnderwater Grasses
Fecal Coliform Origins in Lynnhaven Fecal Coliform Origins in Lynnhaven River River (according to DEQ’s TMDL study 2003)(according to DEQ’s TMDL study 2003)
bird28%
human25%
pets/livestock30%
wildlife17%
“ “ A single overboard discharge of human A single overboard discharge of human waste can be detected in up to a one square waste can be detected in up to a one square mile area of shallow enclosed water. mile area of shallow enclosed water. Contaminants known from human waste Contaminants known from human waste include hepatitis, streptococci, fecal coliform include hepatitis, streptococci, fecal coliform and other bacteria.”and other bacteria.”
Florida Department of Environmental ProtectionFlorida Department of Environmental Protection
Water Quality Water Quality FactFact
What can you What can you
do? do?
Six Areas of FocusSix Areas of Focus
1.1. Preservation and Restoration of WetlandsPreservation and Restoration of Wetlands
2.2. Teaching Water-Friendly Landscaping Teaching Water-Friendly Landscaping
3.3. Restoration of Oyster ReefsRestoration of Oyster Reefs
4.4. Working with the City to Improve Storm Working with the City to Improve Storm Water and Remove SepticsWater and Remove Septics
5.5. Reduce Fecal Coliform Bacteria from Animal Reduce Fecal Coliform Bacteria from Animal WasteWaste
6.6. Promote Clean Boating Practices—Establish Promote Clean Boating Practices—Establish Lynnhaven as a No Discharge ZoneLynnhaven as a No Discharge Zone
Reduce Sediment InputsReduce Sediment Inputs
• Appropriate sediment controls on Appropriate sediment controls on construction projectsconstruction projects
• Maintain vegetationMaintain vegetation
• Preserve or restore natural Preserve or restore natural shorelinesshorelines
Reduce Toxin InputsReduce Toxin Inputs
• Dispose of household toxins Dispose of household toxins appropriatelyappropriately
• Use less toxic chemicalsUse less toxic chemicals
• Don’t dump into sewersDon’t dump into sewers
What else can you do?What else can you do?
What can you do to reduce What can you do to reduce Nutrient and Fecal Nutrient and Fecal
Coliform Input?Coliform Input?
Reduce Pet Waste:Reduce Pet Waste:Scoop the PoopScoop the Poop
Don’t feed the ducks….or Don’t feed the ducks….or raccoons, or geese, or …raccoons, or geese, or …
Make Clean Boating a HabitMake Clean Boating a Habit• PUMP, DON’T DUMP –PUMP, DON’T DUMP –Raw Sewage isn’t nice, treated Raw Sewage isn’t nice, treated
or untreated. Pump out your boat appropriately and dump or untreated. Pump out your boat appropriately and dump portable toilets where they belong.portable toilets where they belong.
• STOWE IT, DON’T THROW IT –STOWE IT, DON’T THROW IT – Trash isn’t good Trash isn’t good for the water…you brought it here, take it back with you!for the water…you brought it here, take it back with you!
• FILL, DON’T SPILL – FILL, DON’T SPILL – Only fill your boat to about Only fill your boat to about 90% ...stop the pump before the tank is full! Fuel spills are 90% ...stop the pump before the tank is full! Fuel spills are illegal.illegal.
• USE THE RIGHT STUFF– USE THE RIGHT STUFF– Only use cleaners and Only use cleaners and fluids that are certified safe for marine use!!!fluids that are certified safe for marine use!!!
Lynnhaven River 2007 Clean Lynnhaven River 2007 Clean Boating Initiatives:Boating Initiatives:
LR 2007 supports “No Discharge Zone” LR 2007 supports “No Discharge Zone” legislation.legislation.
• LR 2007 helps marinas become a LR 2007 helps marinas become a “Certified Green Marina” “Certified Green Marina”
• Teach Clean Boating PracticesTeach Clean Boating Practices
Practice Water Friendly Practice Water Friendly LandscapingLandscaping
• Install a Backyard Buffer
•Use native plants in your landscaping
•Test your soil and fertilize appropriately
•Build a Rain Garden
•Plant Trees
Install a Backyard BufferInstall a Backyard Buffer
Grow OystersGrow Oysters
0
50000
100000
150000
200000
250000
1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005
Oy
ste
rs T
ran
sp
lan
ted Student Raised Oysters
Citizen Raised Oysters
Community Oyster Community Oyster ContributionsContributions
FirstLandingState Park
Elevated Spat Settlement
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