environment archive
August 25, 2010
Eating fish from the James “could be unsafe”
Oregon Hill tipped us to an RTD piece on Department of Environmental Quality report on pollution in Virginia waterways:
The stretch from the Boulevard Bridge to just upriver from the Mayo Bridge — an area popular with paddlers, waders and swimmers — was listed as polluted with mercury and the long-banned pesticides DDT and chlordane.
That stretch already was known to be polluted by fecal bacteria, primarily from the waste of wildlife and upriver cattle, among other sources.
DEQ spokesman Bill Hayden said the additional pollutants don’t pose a threat to people in the river. They primarily mean that eating fish from that stretch could be unsafe.
Gerel said, “More than likely all this has been there forever, and we just haven’t caught it” until now.
August 5, 2010
Eco-Building Tour 2010 explores the VaCO building
The James River Green Building Council and Partnership for Smarter Growth (PSG) are hosting Eco-Building Tour 2010 on Tuesday, August 10, 2010 5:30-7:30PM, a unique opportunity to explore the Virginia Association of Counties (VaCO) Building. This space boasts impressive green features and demonstrates principles of smart growth: one of the oldest buildings in downtown Richmond, LEED Gold certified, Virginia Landmark listed on the National History Registry, located in the heart of downtown Richmond.
July 10, 2010
Streets to close for flood wall testing
Cary Street between South 20th and 22nd Streets will be closed Wednesday from 8AM-4PM, and the Brander Street entrance to Ancarrow’s boat ramp will be closed Monday from 9-11AM for flood wall testing.
June 28, 2010
Water main break closes Mayo Bridge
A broken water main has flooded the Mayo Bridge, which may be unavailable for the remainder of the day.
June 26, 2010
Legend hosts Gulf Give in July
Gulf Give RVA, a fundraising event in Richmond, VA to support clean up efforts in the Gulf of Mexico, will take place Thursday July 15, 2010 from 4PM-midnight at Legend Brewing Company$10 suggested donation. For more information or to volunteer at the event contact gulfgiverva@gmail.com, or follow Gulf Give RVA on Twitter (@gulfgiveRVA) and on Facebook. Music, food, and drinks for a good cause!
June 26, 2010
Tickets available for 1st Annual Edible R-evolution Garden Tour
Tickets are now available for the 1st Annual Edible R-evolution Garden Tour.
June 24, 2010
Hands Across the Sand to protest offshore drilling
A protest is planned for Belle Isle, at the base of the pedestrian bridge, on Saturday, June 26, at noon as one of hundreds Hands Across the Sand gatherings around the country “to raise awareness about the dangers of offshore drilling and call on leaders to end our oil dependence and move America into a clean energy future”.
June 23, 2010
Virginia Capital Trail Foundation seeks donations for trail projects
Richmond BizSense has a piece on the financial needs of the Virginia Capital Trail Foundation:
The Virgina Capital Trail Foundation, the organization overseeing the construction of a 55-mile bike trail connecting Richmond and Jamestown, is on the hunt for corporate cash. “We have the funds to finish construction, but our mission requires a lot of money, as well as the signs and trailheads we want to put along the trail are going to add up,” said Beth Weisbrod, executive director of the foundation.
June 17, 2010
Manchester farmstand open Tuesdays and Thursdays
REMINDER: The farmstand at Tricycle Garden’s Urban Farm at West 9th & Bainbridge Streets is open on Tuesday and Thursdays from 4-7PM.
June 8, 2010
Come help out at the James River Regional Cleanup on Saturday
The James River Regional Cleanup is this Saturday, June 12, at 8:30AM. If you missed pre-registration and would like to participate, arrive at your preferred site and sign up. Remember to wear closed-toe shoes, bring water and gloves. The 2 Richmond area meet-up sites are at Reedy Creek and Pony Pasture Rapids. [via]
June 3, 2010
Manchester farmstand opens today!
The Tricycle Garden’s Urban Farm stand opens today:
Stop by the farmstand this Thursday, June 3rd, and pick up some veggies. Chard, mustard, beautiful heads of romaine, sweet french turnips, italion dandilion, beets and more. Or just stop by to say hello and see what has happened over the past 4 months! Corner of 9th & Bainbridge in Old Manchester. Buy Local!
June 3, 2010
Open the canal to paddlers!
Phil Riggan’s Open the canal to paddlers in downtown Richmond says is clearly enough:
Let’s open up the Kanawha Canal from Captain Christopher Newport’s ‘Cross’ monument at 12th and Byrd Streets to Brown’s Island. The circuit would allow paddlers access to the river from the Tredegar Beach and the Manchester Dam through Pipeline — which has class III-IV rapids. The paddle up the canal would only be about a half-mile long and would allow more people to be a visible part of the downtown scene.
May 14, 2010
Main Street to be cleaned at 2:30AM on Sunday
A message from Sector 112 Lieutenant John W. Beazley:
Please be advised that the City will be utilizing street cleaners in the Bottom this weekend. The street cleaning will start at 2:30 am Sunday morning (Saturday Night) there are signs posted on Main Street at this time, however the area may be expanded.
Please provide me with any positive or negative feedback regarding the street cleaning. There is a possibility the city will continue this cleaning weekly; therefore, I wanted to reach out to you for comments or concerns. I’m aware that there are a few businesses still operating pass 2:30 am, so you may have some concerns regarding the time of the cleanings as well as some parking concerns.