Proposed settlement provides $50 million to compensate for Waynesboro mercury release
The Commonwealth and the U.S. departments of Justice and Interior have announced a proposed settlement to resolve natural resource damage claims stemming from the release of mercury from the former Du Pont facility in Waynesboro that affected the South River and the South Fork Shenandoah River. The settlement is valued at about $50 million. In addition to a cash payment of just more than $42 million, Du Pont will fund the design and implementation of significant renovations at the Front Royal Fish Hatchery, estimated to cost up to $10 million. The settlement terms are outlined in a proposed consent decree filed in federal court in Harrisonburg. Read more about the natural resources damage assessment.
DEQ receives $750,000 wetlands grant
DEQ has received a $750,000 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grant to focus on development of strategies and to extend outreach to improve understanding and protection of high ecological value aquatic resources such as headwater resources and wetlands that may provide added value in improving impaired waters in the Commonwealth. With the help of this grant, Virginia is making significant progress in the development of a comprehensive nontidal wetland regulatory program; refinement of DEQ’s permitting/compliance database to track impacts, compliance and compensation by watershed; and continued refinement of wetland monitoring and assessment tools for use in management decision-making and integration within DEQ water quality programs. Grant activities will specifically address three of the priority elements in Virginia’s EPA-approved state wetlands plan. One of the beneficiaries of the grant is the Virginia Wetlands Condition Assessment Tool (WetCAT – Chrome and Firefox browsers only). Read more about Virginia’s monitoring and assessment strategy.
Southeast Virginia native plants guide now available
The latest in a series of booklets about native plants in different parts of Virginia is now available. “Native Plants for Southeast Virginia including Hampton Roads Region,” produced by the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program at DEQ with expertise from a regional team, can be found on the DEQ website, or copies are available for mailing on a limited basis. Read more about the native plant guides.
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