ShoreRivers Completes Wetland Restoration Project at Chesapeake College

ShoreRivers recently completed construction of a large restoration project on the Wye Mills campus of Chesapeake College that will significantly reduce nutrient and sediment pollution entering the Wye River complex. Funded by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources, this project restores almost 29 acres of marginal cropland to ponds, wetlands, and forest. The project is slated to include over 13 acres of tree plantings by next spring. Queen Anne’s County funded the ecological design of the project.

Concept drawing shows southeast facing view from US Route 50 of the wetland project as it will look in 2022. (courtesy of Sustainable Science, LLC)

The Chesapeake College Agriculture to Ecosystem project addresses 28.72 acres of an agricultural field with a badly incised ditch that drains excess nutrients and sediment into the Wye East River. The land was removed from row crop production and converted into two ponds, a series of wetland cells with habitat islands, planted infiltration berms, and approximately 13.5 acres of tree plantings. The campus of Chesapeake College is located at the headwaters of the Wye East River, which is impaired by nitrogen, phosphorus, sediment, and seasonal bacteria pollution. 

This site underwent a total conversion from an agricultural field to high quality wetland and forest habitat, all in view of heavily trafficked Route 50. Each year, the project will prevent approximately 56 tons of sediment, 885 pounds of nitrogen, and 89 pounds of phosphorus from entering the Wye River. The design incorporates a 2,200-foot walking path to allow students to use the project as an outdoor laboratory.

Chesapeake College wetland project under construction in the summer of 2021.

Kristin Junkin, director of operations & finance at ShoreRivers, said, “ShoreRivers has been working with Chesapeake College since 2016 to complete over 20 different restoration and stormwater projects on the campus. This latest wetland conversion follows a series of earlier projects including a stream restoration, bioswales, turf conversion to wildflower meadows, switchgrass buffers, and tree plantings. The nutrient and sediment reductions achieved by these projects are particularly important because Chesapeake College sits on an ecologically sensitive parcel of land at the headwaters of the Wye East River. We are grateful to the college for collaborating with us to accomplish this important work for clean rivers.” 

"We're proud of the sustainability efforts at Chesapeake and of our long partnership with ShoreRivers," said Chesapeake College President Clifford P. Coppersmith. "This latest project preserves the natural beauty of Chesapeake's campus while contributing to the environmental health of the surrounding area and providing hands-on learning opportunities for our students. We work with ShoreRivers to ensure that the resources and way of life on the Eastern Shore can be sustained for future generations."

For more information about the Chesapeake College restoration projects, contact ShoreRivers Director of Operations & Finance Kristin Junkin at 443.385.0511 ext 204 or junkin@shorerivers.org.

ShoreRivers Activates Tree Steward Volunteers & Community Greening Projects with Federal Funding

ShoreRivers will activate volunteers to increase tree canopy and implement restoration projects in their communities through two recent federal funding awards. The Envision the Choptank partnership, including ShoreRivers, will work with three underrepresented communities in the watershed to create green stormwater infrastructure projects. These projects will reduce nutrient pollution and make backyards and community spaces livable and beautiful. And in partnership with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, ShoreRivers will train Tree Stewards to plant hundreds of native trees in public spaces across our watersheds. These projects are funded by two collaborative National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grants that support clean water and strong communities on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

 Activating Restoration in Three Underrepresented Communities in the Choptank Watershed

Building on Envision the Choptank’s existing engagement with three underrepresented communities in the Choptank watershed, this grant will support implementation of restoration projects prioritized by each community through a community restoration fund. Projects will improve water quality, address resource concerns such as stormwater flooding, increase equitable distribution of resources from restoration efforts, and enhance private lands and shared spaces.

 An innovative “ambassador fund” will pay residents for their work, support community leaders, and engage community members in training and volunteer opportunities. Planning, outreach, and implementation for these projects will continue through 2023.

 To learn more about Envision the Choptank, contact Whitley Gray at wgray@shorerivers.org or 443.385.0511 ext. 202.

 Urban Tree Plantings with Chesapeake Tree Stewards

Thanks to a National Fish and Wildlife Foundation grant, trained and certified Tree Stewards will work with ShorRivers to establish and maintain urban tree canopies across the Eastern Shore.

ShoreRivers, in support of the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay’s Tree Stewards program, will use National Fish and Wildlife Foundation funds to implement native tree planting projects identified by volunteers and initiated by their communities. Well-established tree canopies are essential in urban and suburban areas, where they slow stormwater, filter nutrient and sediment pollution, provide habitat for birds and insects, beautify towns, absorb carbon and air pollutants, and mitigate the extreme heat produced by large expanses of impervious surface. 

 For many communities on the Eastern Shore that are low-lying and vulnerable to extreme weather events, planting trees can be an impactful and cost-effective solution. Trees are a critical component to ShoreRivers’ strategy to achieve healthier rivers and communities.

 With a goal of 300 new trees planted across urban and suburban neighborhoods by the end of 2022, certified Tree Stewards will work with ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers to engage volunteers, strengthen partnerships with local organizations and committees, and motivate local government to adopt beneficial practices that establish and protect urban tree canopies across the Eastern Shore.

 To become a ShoreRivers Tree Steward or identify an area in need of increased tree canopy, please contact Amy Narimatsu at anarimatsu@shorerivers.org or 410.810.7556 ext. 253. 

ShoreRivers Inspires Action with Wild & Scenic Film Festival

ShoreRivers will host its 12th Annual Wild & Scenic Film Festival on Friday, November 19, starting at 7 pm. Like last year, hundreds of passionate environmental advocates will gather online to enjoy a carefully curated slate of award-winning films that reflect a theme of “Resilient by Nature.” General admission tickets are FREE, but donations are welcome. For those who are unable to attend the live event, the films will be available to all registrants On Demand from November 20-30, so register now.

Register now for your free ticket to experience breathtaking scenes like this one from Through the Breaks during ShoreRivers’ Wild & Scenic Film Festival on November 19. For those who are unable to attend the live event, the films will be available to all registrants On Demand from November 20-30.

ShoreRivers joins over 250 organizations across the country to showcase a suite of captivating films that inform and inspire a deep connection to the environment. The diverse film lineup is rooted in both environmental activism and an enduring love of nature. Events like this capture these unique stories of conservation and hope and share them throughout communities across the world. Listen to them, remember them, and leave with a renewed hope and sense of wonder.

After an introduction by ShoreRivers Executive Director Isabel Hardesty, the evening will commence with Through the Breaks, directed by Tom Attwater. Audience members will experience a float down the Upper Missouri River in eastern Montana that reveals a spectacular, remote, and unspoiled prairie landscape. But why do the wild scenes of this place matter? For boatbuilder Jason Cajune, the river trip carries on a family tradition; he grew up on drift boats in Glacier National Park, operated by his parents. Now a boatbuilder by trade, Cajune says, “I’m really just sort of a caretaker of an idea that came before,” a succinct definition of conservation itself.

Other short films interspersed with staff commentary will round out the evening, which will then conclude with Wild Climate, directed by Meredith Meeks. On Maryland’s Eastern Shore, we know first-hand that rural communities are already experiencing the impacts of climate change. This film elevates personal stories that inspire change at every level.

This event is made possible by the leadership and generosity of event sponsors: EcoPrint, ThinkMakeBuild, Gillespie Precast, Wye Gardens, Cross Street Realtors, Talbot Preservation Alliance, Easton Utilities, Parker Counts, Chesapeake Utilities, and by the kindness of numerous individual and family sponsors.

 Proceeds from the evening benefit the important advocacy, education, and restoration initiatives of ShoreRivers that result in real pollution reduction. Throughout the year, ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers speak for the rivers at local, state, and regional levels to ensure representatives are informed with the latest science, trends, and recommendations. Outstanding education programs prepare 1,600 high school students in four counties and 1,200 elementary school students in two counties to become the next generation of environmental stewards. In addition, the organization has installed large- and small-scale restoration practices through thousand-acre farm projects as well as individual River-Friendly Yard upgrades.

 Although this is a different experience from years past where we gathered at the Tidewater Inn and the Avalon Theatre in Easton, ShoreRivers hopes you will join this thrilling cinematic journey as the organization’s mission for clean water remains steadfast. This will be an evening full of laughter and excitement, leaving viewers with the desire to make a positive difference for our beautiful rivers.

For more information, contact Freya Farley at ffarley@shorerivers.org. CLICK HERE to register or become a sponsor.

ShoreRivers SwimTesters Help Identify Pollution Hotspots

This summer, ShoreRivers and a team of volunteer “SwimTesters” monitored bacteria levels at 32 sites around the region, providing a critical public health service for communities and identifying pollution hotspots for future restoration efforts.

This summer, ShoreRivers monitored bacteria levels at 32 sites around the region, providing a critical public health service for communities and identifying pollution hotspots for future restoration efforts. A team of citizen scientists called “SwimTesters” volunteered their time to test these sites weekly from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and generous site sponsors covered a portion of the sampling costs.

SwimTesters monitor for enterococci bacteria at popular public access locations, marinas, yacht clubs, and town piers. The program follows EPA’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and uses a pass/fail system to determine if bacteria levels are safe or unsafe for swimming. View the results at theswimguide.org and get updates during swim season by following #SwimmableShoreRivers or your local Riverkeeper’s page on social media. By collecting, analyzing, and distributing data on bacteria levels in a river, ShoreRivers aims to provide the public with the information needed to make educated decisions about contact with the water.

The results from the 2021 SwimTester season show that bacteria levels vary based on location, land use, and weather; making systematic, scientific analysis vital. Major rain events are almost always connected to spikes in bacteria levels. Of the 32 sites monitored by ShoreRivers SwimTesters this year, seven sites failed to meet EPA’s threshold for safe water contact more than 50% of the time. These sites are located on the Choptank River: Crouse Park in Denton and Willis Street Beach in Cambridge; in Eastern Bay: Broad Cove near Claiborne; and on the Chester River: Millington Waterfront Park, Morgan Creek Landing, and Centreville Wharf.

Multiple years of consistent bacteria monitoring have highlighted those sites that frequently show elevated levels of bacteria, potentially indicating a chronic source of bacteria pollution. Potential chronic sources of bacteria include failing septic systems, overflows or leaks from wastewater treatment plants, waste from animal farms, or manure fertilizer. Acute sources of bacteria pollution include overflows from wastewater treatment plants and pet or wild animal waste.

ShoreRivers will next focus on discovering the source of bacteria pollution at sites that fail more than 50% of their tests in a season. Riverkeepers are currently exploring partnerships and innovative technologies to help identify specific sources of bacteria pollution, including DNA tracking, which would identify a specific animal group (human, bovine, avian, canine, etc.).

For the 2022 bacteria monitoring season, ShoreRivers still needs sponsors for 15 sites. Site sponsorship allows ShoreRivers to redirect general funds toward source tracking programs for impaired areas and to activate new sites from the waitlist. The cost to sponsor a site is $40 per week or $640 for an entire season. Anyone can be a sponsor—individuals, families, organizations, or communities. The more bacterial data gathered on the Sassafras, Chester, Miles, Wye, and Choptank Rivers, the Bayside Creeks, and Eastern Bay, the clearer ShoreRivers’ path will be to targeted restoration efforts in our local watersheds.

Clean water is an essential right for everyone, and everyone deserves to know if the water is safe for them and their families to access. For more information, visit shorerivers.org/swim or email your local Riverkeeper to become a site sponsor today!

ShoreRivers Applauds State's Actions to Stop Pollution from Valley Proteins

The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) announced it would take significant steps to hold Valley Proteins accountable for its water pollution, thanks in large part to the work of ShoreRivers and partners. The industrial poultry rendering plant in Linkwood, on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, has been illegally discharging polluted water into the Transquaking River and operating on an outdated permit for 15 years.

In April, ShoreRivers and Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth (jointly represented by Chesapeake Legal Alliance) and Chesapeake Bay Foundation filed a notice of intent to bring a lawsuit against Valley Proteins for violating its wastewater discharge permit. This action, along with years of advocacy by local environmental groups, spurred MDE to take significant steps this month to hold the plant accountable.

MDE recently announced it would take action to update the plant’s discharge permit, impose penalties for pollution violations, and deny state funding for upgraded technology. Specifically, these actions have been instituted: MDE has issued a new draft wastewater discharge permit, which will replace the outdated permit and hold the plant to higher and more modern standards; following the non-profits’ notice of intent to sue MDE has agreed to impose penalties and remedial actions on Valley Proteins for its pollution violations; and MDE has denied funding previously granted from the taxpayer-funded Bay Restoration Fund to pay for technology upgrades and expanded capacity.

Updated Discharge Permit

Valley Proteins uses a chemical process to render chicken carcasses into protein for animal feed, which it then sells. The plant’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit expired in 2006, but the state has enabled the company to continue to operate by administratively extending the permit for 15 years. These “zombie permits” endanger the health of our waterways by allowing industrial sources to continue to operate on outdated technology and under outdated pollution limits.

On September 15, MDE issued a new draft permit. “We will be working diligently through the public process to ensure the new discharge permit adequately protects water quality and that checks are in place to prevent future violations from occurring,” says ShoreRivers Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta. “We can do better. We fully expect the State to address their backlog of ‘zombie permits’ and will work this legislative session to prohibit administratively extending permits.”

Penalties for Illegal Discharges

MDE has committed to imposing penalties for the discharge violations Valley Proteins incurred over the years. ShoreRivers will continue to work with MDE to ensure the penalties and remedial actions match the magnitude of the impacts to local water quality. ShoreRivers will also advocate for technical upgrades to the plant and restoration solutions in order to reduce pollution entering local waterways.

In years when records have been available, Valley Proteins has exceeded pollution limits when releasing wastewater into the Transquaking River. Reported violations show the plant discharging above the legal, or “safe,” limit for nitrogen, phosphorus, ammonia, chlorine, and fecal coliform. These nutrients, chemicals, and bacteria cause harmful algal blooms, degrade habitat, and threaten the safety of people trying to swim or fish in the river. Valley Proteins must be held accountable for its degradation of this public resource.

Denying Bay Restoration Funds

In the 2021 Legislative Session, the State authorized $7.6 million to Valley Proteins from the Bay Restoration Fund to cover a portion of the cost of a $15-million-dollar upgrade to reduce pollution.

The Bay Restoration Fund is comprised of tax-payer money and is intended to solve wastewater issues that have a direct impact to the local communities who pay into the fund. Every year the State makes funding awards by reviewing a long list of applicants; it has previously prioritized funding upgrades to public wastewater treatment plants. Many applicants are small, rural towns that don’t have the means to fund their own technology upgrades.

“To reward a facility that has violated its permit for years, by giving them tax-payer money to solve the problem sets a bad precedent for other polluting industries,” says Pluta. In a statement from MDE Secretary Ben Grumbles earlier this month, the state announced it would no longer grant Valley Proteins the funding they requested.

These three issues mark significant achievements in ShoreRivers’ advocacy work to safeguard our local rivers from industrial polluters. Working closely with Chesapeake Legal Alliance,ShoreRivers and our partners will work through the public process for Valley Proteins’ new discharge permit to make sure it’s as protective of water quality as possible. We will also continue to push the state to eliminate the backlog of expired permits and end the practice of administratively extending outdated permits in the state of Maryland.

ShoreRivers Hosts Chesapeake Bay Commission Meeting on Urban & Ag Stormwater

Town of Easton Project Manager Kody Cario addresses stream restoration projects and urban tree canopy.

In early September, ShoreRivers hosted field visits for the Chesapeake Bay Commission’s quarterly meeting, showcasing recent projects implemented on the upper Eastern Shore that reduce pollution from urban and agricultural runoff.

The 21-member commission, comprised of state legislators from Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, as well as natural resource cabinet secretaries, acts as a catalyst for the coordination and leadership of state legislative and policy action to restore the Bay watershed. This was a vital opportunity to show elected officials and cabinet secretaries how ShoreRivers works with Eastern Shore communities for clean and healthy rivers, and how representatives from other states can implement these innovative and proven strategies in their regions.

Commission members met with Easton representatives to discuss how the rural town is meeting its municipal stormwater permit requirements and addressing flooding in the town through stream restoration projects. They discussed the town’s successful effort to increase urban tree canopy to improve water quality, mitigate flooding, provide cooling to counteract the urban “heat island effect,” and increase property values.

The Commission then visited Hutchison Brothers Farm to view conservation drainage practices that are helping build a resilient farming future by treating farm runoff and reducing flooding in their fields to mutually benefit the Choptank River and the farming operation.

And finally, Commission members toured Fair Hill Farm in Chestertown, a modern organic dairy farm owned and operated by the Fry family, that exemplifies high quality agricultural products, land and water stewardship, and civic engagement.

The projects chosen highlighted cost-effective strategies to reduce pollution—strategies with important additional benefits such as mitigating flooding, improving towns, engaging community members, and increasing agricultural productivity.

These are just a few examples of the many ways ShoreRivers works to improve the health of local waterways by proactively addressing pressing issues such as climate change, agricultural productivity, and community health.

ShoreRivers’ restoration projects are possible because of state and federal funding entities, including Maryland Department of Natural Resources Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund, Chesapeake Bay Trust, United States Department of Agriculture, and National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Chesapeake Bay Stewardship Fund. ShoreRivers encourages constituents to ensure that representatives know to prioritize a clean Chesapeake Bay by supporting these funds in the future.

ShoreRivers Awarded State Funding for Large Restoration Projects

Newly constructed wetland complex on a farm near Cecilton, Maryland.

ShoreRivers is a leader in designing, funding, and managing major agricultural restoration projects to reduce the sediments and nutrients that pollute our waterways. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) recently awarded ShoreRivers $1.95 million to implement three such projects, all in the Chester River watershed.

Targeting high nutrient-export agricultural subwatersheds in areas prioritized for funding through the DNR Chesapeake and Atlantic Coastal Bays Trust Fund has proven a winning strategy for making rapid and significant progress toward meeting pollution reduction goals and habitat creation goals. ShoreRivers has continued to promote a balance between a prosperous agricultural industry on the Delmarva Peninsula and healthy, thriving waterways and wetlands. Through strong outreach, involvement in science-based agronomy and ecology research efforts, and an emphasis on innovation, ShoreRivers strives to maintain an excellent reputation with landowners and farmers throughout the region.

The first farm project will address a severe gully erosion and degraded stream draining predominantly agricultural land in the Southeast Creek watershed in Queen Anne’s County. The project includes installing a step pool system and series of earthen berms in the farm field to allow rainwater to slowly infiltrate before reaching the incised gully, and restoring 250 linear feet of eroding stream bank to a more natural habitat.

The second farm project, also in the Southeast Creek watershed, will convert 6.9 acres of farm field and 1,325 linear feet of an active, incised agricultural drainage ditch to a large, natural wetland complex that features a series of berms and ponding areas and addresses a failed, eroded grassed waterway.

For the third farm project, ShoreRivers will construct a stream and wetland complex stretching nearly 6,000 linear feet and encompassing over 15 acres in the headwaters of Morgan Creek in Kent County. This restoration complex will receive and treat runoff from 482 acres of surrounding row crop agriculture. The project will add ecological uplift to the stream segment; add retention, storage, and resiliency to protect downstream forested stream habitat; provide opportunity for nutrient processing through natural stream and wetland systems; and include a 6.5-acre buffer strip of warm season grass and shrub habitat to connect two existing quail habitat areas.

In the past decade, ShoreRivers has installed 186 restoration projects in the mid to upper Eastern Shore, reducing more than 144,000 pounds of nitrogen, 17,000 pounds of phosphorus, and 5,400 tons of sediments from polluting the waterways each year.

Local Farmers Being Paid for Conservation Work

Farmers in the Choptank River watershed can receive incentive payments to implement conservation practices on their property through the Envision the Choptank program with support from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Envision the Choptank is a partnership that works to find collaborative solutions to restore fishable, swimmable waters to the Choptank River while working to meet the needs of local communities.

So far, Envision the Choptank has worked with farmers and landowners to install 51 acres of grass buffer, 20 acres of forest buffer, and 7 acres of wetland. These projects make up 34% the program’s goal for total practice installation, meaning there is still funding available for farmers and landowners who are interested in conservation work.

One participating farmer, Fred Pomeroy, tried for three years to install a combination wetland and field buffer project on his farm. “Envision the Choptank’s supplemental financing made the difference. The project is now complete and represents an environmental and aesthetic improvement to my family farm." The wetland restoration program offers $3,000 per acre to offset landowner costs.

Ben Tull, a farmer in Dorchester County, was able to use the Envision the Choptank grass buffer program to easily enroll over 20 acres on his farm. “The application was very simple with a lot of flexibility. It was very accommodating to my vision of how buffers would work into our farming practices and benefit the health of the farm and the environment. Envision the Choptank afforded us the opportunity to take some less productive acres out of grain production and put them to other use without any long-term commitment on our part.” The grass buffer program offers $900-$1300 per acre depending on the grass mix planted.

Recently installed tree buffer on a farm in the Choptank River watershed, planted as part of Envision the Choptank’s flexible tree buffer program.

In addition to a wetland and grass buffer program, Envision the Choptank offers a tree buffer program that covers full implementation cost plus a bonus of $1,000 per acre installed. Trees can be planted near streams, along ditches, or in otherwise inoperable areas of an agricultural field. Caroline County farmer Adam Chaffinch credits the program with helping him to realize his farm’s overall objectives. “We were excited to learn of the tree buffer program as the area in question didn’t meet all the requirements for other programs. Envision the Choptank helped us recognize our vision to control erosion and protect wildlife on our farm while also contributing to the important effort of protecting our local waterways.”

If you have a resource concern on your property, an unproductive area, or are just interested in farm-friendly conservation practices, consider participating in Envision the Choptank’s programs. To be eligible, the farm property must be located in the Choptank River watershed; areas within the Choptank River watershed include portions of Dorchester, Caroline, Talbot, and Queen Anne’s Counties, Maryland, and Kent County, Delaware. For more information, contact Whitley Gray at wgray@shorerivers.org or 443.385.0511 ext. 202.

Shaw Bay Raft-Up Concert Featuring the Wye River Band

Celebrate the end of summer with the Miles-Wye Riverkeeper and the Wye River Band at the Shaw Bay Raft-Up Concert on Saturday, September 11 from 4:00-6:00 p.m. Begun decades ago by the Eastport Oyster Boys to raise awareness for clean water efforts, this annual on-the-water party will feature music by the Wye River Band this year while the “Boys” take a break. Kevin Brooks of the Eastport Oyster Boys thanks the Wye River Band for “stepping up to the mic to entertain and keep the party rockin’ on!”

This annual benefit concert is a must for cruisers of all persuasions. Bring your dinghy, paddle board, kayak, sailboat, or power boat, and join the floating raft party behind the Wye River Band concert pontoon. This free concert will be held in Shaw Bay, near the mouth of the Wye River. CLICK HERE for a map of nearby locations to launch your vessel.

Donations are kindly accepted, as all proceeds help promote the clean water initiatives of ShoreRivers on the Miles and Wye rivers. Please use our pumpout boat services while on the river to help with these efforts.

Since May 2016, the ShoreRivers pumpout boat has pumped over 85,000 gallons of waste from boaters on the Miles and Wye Rivers. The pumpout boat is funded by the Department of Natural Resources and operates in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels, MD. The vessel operates Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, as well as holidays through late October. Pumpouts may be scheduled on VHF Channel 9 or by calling Captain Jim at 410.829.4352 or emailing POBcaptainjim@gmail.com.

ShoreRivers is a nonprofit organization dedicated to restoring Eastern Shore waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education. Our local waterways are polluted by excess nutrients and sediment that run off of urban, suburban, agricultural, and commercial land. ShoreRivers is dedicated to implementing real solutions through programs and projects to improve the health of these waterways.

For updates about the Shaw Bay Concert, visit the ShoreRivers and Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Facebook pages. Or contact Rebekah Hock at rhock@shorerivers.org or 443.385.0511 ext. 206.

Solstice Celebration a Success!

Kate Livie, author of Chesapeake Oysters: The Bay's Foundation and Future, and Scott Budden, partner at Orchard Point Oysters, led a ShoreRivers Solstice Expedition entitled “Oysters of our Past & Future” at Eastern Neck Island. Photo credit: Kate Livie

In June 2021, ShoreRivers celebrated the Summer Solstice in a new way by inviting community members to truly experience the organization’s mission through one-of-a-kind adventures. Participants purchased nearly 250 tickets for 26 small group outings where participants could see and appreciate our precious Eastern Shore environment from perspectives like health, history, boating, farming, the arts, and our economy.

ShoreRivers Executive Director Isabel Hardesty put the event in context, saying, “For many, the Solstice indicates the official start to summer and the warmer months when so many people flock to the river. This year, despite pandemic challenges, we wanted to offer the opportunity to experience our rivers in new, meaningful ways. By connecting with partners—regional experts in their fields, local celebrities, and entrepreneurs—we were able to provide uniquely memorable experiences that illustrate the need for healthy, accessible waterways.”

Galena resident and Sassafras Watershed Advisory Board member Linda Gaydos had particularly glowing praise about the Fair Hill Farm tour of a local dairy farm implementing innovative conservation practices. “I just returned from my first Solstice Expedition, and it was a wonderfully insightful and educational experience. The Fry Family couldn't have been nicer hosts or more accommodating tour guides. It wasn't until I recently became a full-time Eastern Shore waterfront resident, participated in the Watershed Stewards Academy, and joined ShoreRivers that I realized the delicate synergy between land and water. The Frys definitely added a new thought-provoking perspective. We live in a unique and biodiverse environment; aren't we lucky!”

With the addition of an online auction and livestream concert, supporters of ShoreRivers contributed over $93,000 for advocacy, education, and restoration efforts throughout the region. Special thanks must be given to the Solstice Celebration Committee, numerous expedition leaders and hosts, generous auction item donors, and lead sponsors: Raymond James Foundation and Valliant Wealth Strategies, The Keith Campbell Foundation for the Environment, Myrt and Mary Bee Gaines, and Alan and Penny Griffith, among others.

Whether you were able to participate in the Solstice Celebration or not, ShoreRivers would like to hear your thoughts about the future. How would you like to celebrate the Solstice in 2022? Please take five minutes to complete the Solstice survey under Quick Links at the ShoreRivers homepage to share your thoughts. You can also watch a recording of the livestream concert with Philip Dutton and the Alligators under the Videos tab.

Summer's Here—is it Safe to Swim in the River?

In 2020, the majority of the 34 sites ShoreRivers monitors for bacteria each week passed. Five sites, however, failed nearly half of the season, exceeding the EPA’s threshold for safe water contact. Pictured is Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Elle Bassett collecting water samples for bacteria monitoring.

“Is it safe to swim in the river?” is one of the most common questions ShoreRivers hears from community members. Fecal bacteria and toxic algae in waterways pose threats to both water quality and public health. People and pets who come in contact with bacteria- or toxin-laden water can contract eye, ear, and respiratory diseases; skin rashes; gastrointestinal issues; or brain or liver damage. To assess the health of our rivers and potential risks to human health, ShoreRivers’ Riverkeepers, with help from a dedicated team of volunteers, regularly monitor bacteria pollution at 34 sites throughout the middle and upper Eastern Shore.

The Swimmable ShoreRivers program tests all the rivers in the ShoreRivers region for bacteria, primarily at public access locations, as well as at some marinas, yacht clubs, and town fishing piers. ShoreRivers conducts tests on a weekly basis from Memorial Day through Labor Day, and results are posted each Friday. Community members are encouraged to view the results at theswimguide.org and get updates during swim season by following the ShoreRivers and Riverkeeper pages on Facebook and Instagram. The program follows Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s standard protocols for collecting and analyzing samples and uses a pass/fail system to determine if bacteria levels are safe or unsafe for swimming.

ShoreRivers relies on dedicated volunteers to support their water quality testing programs. These “SwimTesters” are assigned sites and, after completing a training session, collect and deliver water samples to the ShoreRivers offices in Galena, Chestertown, and Easton. Additionally, ShoreRivers is grateful to its test site sponsors: Sailwinds Park Inc., On-site Septic Services, Caroline County Recreation and Parks, Chesapeake Designs, City of Cambridge, Town of Oxford, Corsica River Yacht Club, Kentmore Park Community, the McGunigle family, the Ruhl/Carski family, and Noa Stein, for her Bat Mitzvah project. At $600 per site, per season, contact your local Riverkeeper to learn more about sites in need of a sponsor.

The results from ShoreRivers’ monitoring in 2020 show that bacterial and algal conditions vary based on location, weather, and other factors, making systematic, scientific analysis vital. The good news is the majority of the bacteria monitoring sites passed more than 60% of the time. A few sites, however, passed less than 60% of the time, failing to meet EPA’s threshold for safe water contact. Specifically, these sites are located at Hambrooks Bay Beach, Crouse Park, Denton, Broad Cove Claiborne, and Morgan Creek Landing.

Now that the program has baseline data showing which sites frequently have elevated levels of bacteria, ShoreRivers will focus on the next most frequently asked question from the public: “Where does bacteria pollution come from at each site?” ShoreRivers is exploring partnerships and innovative technologies to help identify specific sources of bacteria pollution at specific testing locations.

“Once we know where the bacteria is coming from—whether it’s leaking sewer lines, failing septic systems, over-application of fertilizer, or people not picking up after their pets—we can start implementing real solutions,” says Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta. “Monitoring techniques such as eDNA sampling and bacteria source tracking are improving and becoming more reliable. It’s another tool in our Riverkeeper toolbelt to help improve water quality conditions so Eastern Shore waterways are always safe and swimmable.”

The Swimmable ShoreRivers program also works with government health agencies at local and state levels to monitor toxic algal blooms and inform the public of serious potential health risks to humans and pets. Algal blooms occur naturally, but increased levels of nutrient pollution in our waterways from fertilizers, septic systems, and wastewater plants fuel larger, more toxic, and longer-lasting blooms.

In our region, toxic blooms occur most frequently on the Sassafras River, due to its lower salinity levels. Last summer, a toxic algal bloom on the Sassafras lasted for almost three months. This was the largest, longest lasting, and most toxic bloom ever recorded on the river, causing the Maryland Department of the Environment to issue a water contact advisory for the whole river.

Already in 2021, small blooms have been identified in tributaries of the Sassafras. Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher has responded to and tested these blooms with the help of Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, and will continue to monitor the water weekly as the summer progresses. For more info on Sassafras algal blooms this summer, contact zkelleher@shorerivers.org.

For more information about the Swimmable ShoreRivers campaign, visit shorerivers.org/swim or email your local Riverkeeper to become a site sponsor today.

Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta
Miles-Wye Riverkeeper Elle Bassett
Chester Riverkeeper Annie Richards
Sassafras Riverkeeper Zack Kelleher

Chester River No Discharge Zone & Miles-Wye Pumpout Boat

ShoreRivers Reduces Vessel Discharge in Eastern Shore Waterways

ShoreRivers works to identify and address all pollution sources, including discharge from boats with marine sanitation devices. Boat discharge, especially in marinas, high boat traffic areas, and sheltered coves, can lead to nutrient or bacteria pollution hotspots that pose serious health risks to humans and animals. The newly-designated Chester River No Discharge Zone and the Miles and Wye pumpout boat help to eliminate the chance of boat discharge entering the waterways.

As the result of a multi-year effort by ShoreRivers, Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) designated the Chester River as the second No Discharge Zone in Maryland’s Chesapeake watershed. According to the DNR website, a No Discharge Zone “is an area of water where the discharge of all boat sewage is prohibited. This includes raw sewage . . . as well as sewage treated by Type I or II marine sanitation devices.”

In rivers without No Discharge Zones, it is legal to discharge treated sewage into the waters. While treated sewage (from a properly maintained and functioning marine sanitation device) does not contain bacteria pollution, it does contribute nutrient pollution. The Chester River No Discharge Zone will be marked with DNR buoys. Once inside the boundaries of the Chester River No Discharge Zone, all boats with marine heads must pump their waste at a discharge station (a list of pumpout locations can be found at HERE ). Violators can face fines up to $1,000.

River-friendly boaters in other ShoreRivers waterways can help to eliminate this pollution source by always utilizing pumpout services. On the Miles and Wye Rivers, the ShoreRivers pumpout boat will begin its 2021 season May 21. Boaters are encouraged to take advantage of this free service and do their part to keep our waterways clean and healthy. Pumpout boat Captain Jim Freeman states, “Both transient and local boaters rave about the convenience of using the pumpout boat. We can serve any boater on the Miles and Wye rivers, and can carry up to 300 gallons of waste.”

Pumpout boat service is available Friday evenings and weekends (including holidays) during the summer and early fall.

Now in its fifth year, the pumpout boat program is funded by DNR and ShoreRivers in partnership with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. The vessel has disposed of more than 74,000 gallons of waste from 1,270 vessels, giving boaters a more convenient way to keep this pollution from potentially entering the Miles and Wye rivers.

To arrange service, boaters can contact the pumpout boat by calling 410-829-4352 or on VHF channel 9. To contact Captain Jim with specific questions or to schedule a regular pump out, email POBCaptJim@gmail.com.

Please adhere to social distancing guidelines when interacting with the pumpout boat.

ShoreRivers Luminaries Recognized with State & Regional Awards

Two powerful voices in the environmental movement received acclaim in May.

On May 7, W. R. “Nick” Carter, III became the second recipient of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship.
Photo credit: Dave Harp

On May 7, W. R. “Nick” Carter, III became the second recipient of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship during the organization’s State of the Rivers presentation. The award recognizes an individual or entity in the Chesapeake Bay watershed for their transformational accomplishments as a steward of the environment.

On May 11, Jeff Horstman, a Wye River resident and former executive director of ShoreRivers, was named an Ambassador of the Chesapeake Bay by Governor Hogan. Maryland Secretary of Natural Resources Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio and Maryland Secretary of the Environment Ben Grumbles presented the award.

Ann Swanson, executive director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission for the last 33 years, was tapped to speak on both occasions. Swanson was the first recipient of the ShoreRivers Award for Environmental Stewardship and considers it “one of the greatest recognitions of my life.” She went on to say that it was a special honor for her to present the award to her friend Nick and to sing his praises. “Nick is brilliant. He is a synthesizer—a complex thinker. His friends and colleagues liken him to E.O. Wilson; some even refer to him as the David Attenborough of the Chesapeake.”

After 35 years of service to Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Carter retired in 2000, but it can hardly be said his work came to an end. From his beloved “natural wonderland” on the Choptank River or his peerless jon boat, Swanson says, “Nick can take disparate pieces of information—biology, ecology, hydrology, sociology, history, and even politics—and weave them together into an understanding that becomes new knowledge, not just regurgitated facts.” In his distinctive Norfolk, Virginia drawl, “Nick can talk to anyone—including any age, education level, or political persuasion. He believes that everyone has an entry point [to environmentalism], you just need to find it.”

On May 11, Jeff Horstman, a Wye River resident and former executive director of ShoreRivers, was named an Ambassador of the Chesapeake Bay by Governor Hogan.

Jeff Horstman’s entry point to Eastern Shore conservation work at a professional level appeared nearly a decade ago when Tim Junkin invited him to join the Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy’s board. Horstman went on to serve as the organization’s Miles-Wye Riverkeeper, deputy director, and eventually succeeded Junkin as executive director. His vision expanded beyond the Wye River he had cherished since youth. Swanson remembers first working with Horstman around 2014 and seeing how well he “understood that each river of the Eastern Shore had its own cultural and ecological identity that should never be erased or ignored.”

When ShoreRivers was formed in 2017 by merging Midshore Riverkeeper Conservancy, Chester River Association, and Sassafras River Association, it was Horstman’s leadership as executive director that established the organization as a strong, united voice for the region’s rivers. “He simply was the right person at the right time,” Swanson reiterates. “He had the right disposition; he never commanded, he just listened.  And his deep connection to place—both the people and the resource—was apparent.”    

In a surprise ceremony via Zoom, Horstman was presented the title Ambassador of the Chesapeake by Secretaries Haddaway-Riccio and Grumbles on behalf of Governor Larry Hogan and the State of Maryland. His award recognized “leadership within many environmental organizations including ShoreRivers, mentorship of the next generation of stewards, and inspiration to others to further the health of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.”

ShoreRivers is extremely grateful for the leadership and vision of these two local champions.
CLICK HERE to watch the presentation of Carter’s award and to learn more about the mission of ShoreRivers, visit.

ShoreRivers Litigation Forces Owners to Address Toxic Lead Site

In March, ShoreRivers and the owners and operators of The Point at Pintail came to a settlement agreement requiring the sporting clay course and shooting range in Queenstown, Maryland, to address lead shot that has accumulated to toxic levels in surrounding soils, threatening the health of people and wildlife. While shooting has taken place at this gun club for over 30 years, evidence shows that between 2013 and 2019 alone, 171 tons of lead were discharged at shooting stations around the site, resulting in dangerous lead accumulation in the soil, ditches, and ponds that drain directly to the Wye River. After years of negotiations, the final settlement agreement requires The Point at Pintail to address existing lead deposits, implement practices to regularly reclaim future lead debris, and conduct regular water and soil sampling to ensure no further lead pollution of the site.

Map of The Point at Pintail showing locations of shoot stations. Map courtesy of SCS Engineers.

Lead is highly toxic; exposure to even small amounts can result in severe neurological, developmental, and reproductive issues in humans and wildlife, particularly in children and birds. For these reasons, it has been banned from use as a gasoline additive, in paints, and in certain other applications. However, while lead-based shot was banned in waterfowl hunting nationwide in 1991, it remains in use in upland game hunting and in trap and skeet shooting sports. At shooting ranges specifically, spent lead shot can accumulate to toxic levels in soil and water unless proper reclamation protocols are in place.

According to Michael McLaughlin, the hazardous waste expert who evaluated the samples taken in 2020 from The Point at Pintail, “. . . the concentrations of lead found at several areas of the gun club present a threat to human health. Those potentially at risk include gun club visitors and staff who can ingest or inhale lead dust.” Additionally, “. . . the ecological risk presented by the lead contamination in soil and sediment at the gun club is substantial.”

The Point at Pintail sits directly on the banks of the main stem of the Wye River just south of Queenstown. In 2015, ShoreRivers entered into informal discussions with the owners about partnering to remediate the lead pollution on site. ShoreRivers also alerted the Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) and the Queen Anne’s County Health Department. In 2017, after two years of inaction by The Point at Pintail, MDE, and the health department, ShoreRivers filed a Notice of Intent to Sue, and ultimately filed a lawsuit, under the Clean Water Act and under the Resource Recovery and Conservation Act, alleging that The Point at Pintail had failed to protect human and environmental health from lead poisoning as required by law.

The settlement is still undergoing federal agency review, but under the settlement agreement reached in March, The Point at Pintail is required to reclaim or treat with a bonding agent the legacy lead in specific, high-concentration areas; close or re-orient existing shooting stations to prevent lead debris from being deposited in wetlands or ditches; conduct lead reclamation on a regular schedule based on the number of targets thrown to prevent further accumulation; and conduct soil and water sampling at least annually to monitor lead levels and share results with ShoreRivers and MDE to ensure actions are meeting environmental standards.

Isabel Hardesty, executive director of ShoreRivers, states, “We are pleased with the outcome of this settlement and believe these actions will improve water quality while also reducing potential human health risks. Many hunters and sport shooters are conservation-minded, and I urge these communities to look at this as an opportunity for improvement. Can we do more to protect against the damages of lead shot, or further curtail its use by switching to steel or other non-toxic alternatives, in order to protect our shared environment? ShoreRivers welcomes the opportunity to work with the sport shooting community in these endeavors.”

ShoreRivers sincerely thanks the following people and companies for their donated time and expertise in this case: attorneys Kevin Holewinski and Daniella Einik with Jones Day; environmental engineer and lead expert Michael McLaughlin with SCS Engineers; and lead expert Sarah Stoneking with Ramboll US Consulting, Inc. Their significant contributions made this positive outcome possible.

Announcing Our 2021 Photo Contest

The 2019 Photo Contest Winner for the Miles, Wye, and Eastern Bay watershed was taken by Crystal Dorothy.

Do you have a passion for photography or just like to capture special moments with your phone? Do you love your local waterways and want to promote and preserve them? ShoreRivers is pleased to announce its 2021 Photo Contest from May through October, so snap a picture and send it our way! Shore rivers are your rivers, and we want to see how you engage with the natural resources that we all strive to conserve. ShoreRivers is especially interested in photos that reflect the organization’s mission of protecting and restoring our waterways through science-based advocacy, restoration, and education.

Contest winners will be announced December 1 by email, social media, and the photo contest webpage. Categories include Wildlife, Waterways, Human Interaction with Nature, and Agriculture/Restoration (e.g. farm fields, restored streams, wetlands, shorelines, rain gardens, river-friendly yards). ShoreRivers will use winning photos in publications and outreach, such as:             

·       community presentations and events, which reach over 500 people annually
·       emails and social media accounts, which have thousands of followers
·       Semiannual Advocate newsletter and River Report Card, which are mailed to over 3,000 people.

Photographers will be credited for their photos and may submit up to four images for consideration. Images must be taken within the four watersheds that comprise ShoreRivers’ geographic area: Chester, Choptank, Miles-Wye, and Sassafras. To learn more about the contest rules and how to submit photos, please visit shorerivers.org/photo-contest.

Nancy Cordes to Host State of the Rivers - May 7

Nancy Cordes, CBS News chief White House correspondent, will emcee the live presentation of the State of the Rivers on May 7, online via Zoom.
Photo courtesy of CBS News

ShoreRivers proudly presents its annual State of the Rivers online via Zoom on Friday, May 7, from 5:00-6:15 pm. Nancy Cordes, CBS News chief White House correspondent, will emcee the live presentation, which will include the official release of the 2020 River Report Card and a Q&A session with the Choptank, Miles-Wye, Chester, and Sassafras Riverkeepers. The evening will also feature a presentation of the second annual Award for Environmental Stewardship to Nick Carter, who has been called the Druid of the Chesapeake. The event is free and does not require a Zoom account; register at shorerivers.org/events.

A secchi disk is one piece of equipment Choptank Riverkeeper Matt Pluta uses during weekly water quality monitoring to collect data for the annual ShoreRivers Report Card.

Maryland’s Eastern Shore waterways are negatively impacted by excess nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment runoff from residential, commercial, and agricultural properties. Seasonal flares of bacterial contamination pose risks to human health. ShoreRivers conducts the only comprehensive water quality testing and monitoring of these and other pollutants in our local waterways. The 2020 Report Card reflects the results of these tests throughout four watersheds that span more than 1,650 square miles of the middle and upper Eastern Shore. With data collected by four professional Riverkeepers and citizen scientist volunteers, the Report Card provides a science-based approach to water quality analysis that fuels action.

“The state of our rivers is in our hands,” says ShoreRivers Executive Director Isabel Hardesty. “Good water quality and equitable, easy access to our rivers depend on the actions of our communities; the science tells us where to start. The State of the Rivers event is designed to welcome everyone to the conversation.” Headline topics for the event will include tributary and overall river grades, regional river health trends, strategies to clean local waterways, and a discussion of equitable accessibility. Participants will be able to ask questions of their Riverkeeper in breakout rooms.

In a special highlight of the event this year, ShoreRivers is proud to honor Nick Carter with its Award for Environmental Stewardship in recognition of his transformational accomplishments. After 35 years of service to Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources, Carter is renowned for his spectrum of influence on Bay policies and his singular, moral voice for all woodland and wildlife of the Chesapeake.

ShoreRivers gratefully acknowledges scientific testing support from LaMotte Company. For more information, contact Connor Liu at cliu@shorerivers.org or 443.385.0511 ext. 210.

Embark on a ShoreRivers Solstice Expedition!

Beginning on the Summer Solstice (Sunday, June 20) until June 26, ShoreRivers will host a new kind of Solstice Celebration that offers something for everyone. Instead of one evening under the tent, the week-long celebration will include small-group expeditions, an online auction, and a free livestream concert with Philip Dutton and the Alligators. ShoreRivers is grateful for support from local partners and the Raymond James Charitable Foundation. Become a sponsor, reserve your ticket, and find more information at shorerivers.org/event/solstice.

Solstice Celebration Expeditions are extraordinary experiences with local experts that give participants a closer look at how science, advocacy, restoration, and education combine for cleaner water and a safer future for all. Edible plant foraging with Permaculture Educator Shane Brill, a dive into dragonflies with Biologist John Gillespie, and a chance to harken through a storied history at The Hermitage property are just a few examples of more than a dozen opportunities available. From paddling to pollinators, aquaculture to agriculture, environmental justice to ecopoetry, don’t miss the chance to register for these meaningful, informative, and interactive opportunities! Tickets are limited to ensure safety, as well as to give participants an insider’s experience.

Another way supporters near and far can contribute to ShoreRivers’ work is through an online auction, which will offer a custom oil painting by Chestertown’s own Marcy Dunn Ramsey, a secret adventure sail with Captain Andrew McCown, a vacation in Hilton Head, a cottage in the Berkshires, bourbon, books, bracelets, a hot air balloon ride, and a boatload of other exciting items. Bidding will open online June 14.

The celebration will culminate with a FREE livestream concert from ShoreRivers board member Bob Ingersoll’s Silver Barn studio, featuring local favorites Philip Dutton & the Alligators. All funds raised during this event directly support healthy, accessible waterways.

Maryland Environmental Groups File Notice of Potential Lawsuit Against Valley Proteins for Pollution Violations

On April 13, Maryland environmental groups sent a notice of intent to bring a lawsuit against Valley Proteins for violating its wastewater permit. 

In years when records have been available, the company has exceeded pollution limits when releasing wastewater from its Linkwood plant on Maryland’s Eastern Shore into the nearby Transquaking River. Records indicate Valley Proteins has routinely exceeded its permit limits for pollutants including fecal coliform, nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammonia. In one quarter, from July to September 2020, the company exceeded the ammonia limits by 2,518%, according to EPA’s enforcement and compliance database. In other periods, Valley Proteins has failed to file complete documents detailing what pollutants are being released into the groundwater and river from the plant.

Monitoring and inspection reports have indicated wastewater leaking from two wastewater storage lagoons on the plant property may be causing high nitrate levels in monitoring wells and polluting the groundwater. The company has also failed to properly document the composition of the thousands of tons of sludge being hauled away from the property each year and the quantities of sludge that are land applied or treated at another wastewater treatment facility. These issues are likely contributing to pollution problems in the area and surrounding waterways.

The Transquaking River is a Chesapeake Bay tributary that has been plagued by long-term problems associated with algal blooms, which are fueled by water pollutants such as nitrogen. Algal blooms reduce water clarity and can cause deadly low-oxygen conditions in the water. These water quality impacts impair recreational use of the river by boaters and kayakers, as well as potentially make the river uninhabitable for marine life. The excess amounts of pollutants from this plant may be making it more difficult for Maryland to reach 2025 pollution reduction requirements as part of the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. The notice of intent is being brought by ShoreRivers and Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth (DCPG), and Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF). ShoreRivers and DCPG are represented by Chesapeake Legal Alliance. Industrial polluters can be held accountable through citizen suits under the Clean Water Act for impairing the public’s right to clean, swimmable, and fishable waters. The notice gives Valley Proteins 60 days to potentially settle claims under the Clean Water Act before a formal lawsuit is filed against the company.  

Valley Proteins is an industrial plant in Linkwood that uses a chemical process to render chicken carcasses into protein for animal feed, which it then sells. The plant’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit expired in 2006, but the state has enabled the company to continue to operate in Linkwood by administratively extending it for 15 years. 

"Valley Proteins is responsible for the waste it produces, like all companies and individuals are,” said Matt Pluta, ShoreRivers Choptank Riverkeeper and Director of Riverkeeper Programs. “But while most of us follow the environmental laws designed to protect our shared environment, Valley Proteins has been discharging its waste at illegally high levels into the Transquaking River. They are polluting this shared resource, which harms the river and our ability to enjoy it. This company must be held accountable for their actions, the same way any of us would be if we violated a law.” 

For more than 10 years, DCPG volunteers have been sampling water quality near the plant and have found higher-than-average levels of E. coli bacteria, nitrogen, and phosphorus as well as low levels of dissolved oxygen in the river. The Maryland Department of the Environment has also documented significant algal blooms in Higgins Mill Pond, which receives the Plant’s discharges and is part of the Transquaking River. 

“DCPG has been concerned for more than seven years about numerous violations and pollution from the wastewater discharge at the Valley Proteins site,” said Fred Pomeroy, president of Dorchester Citizens for Planned Growth. “We’ve voiced our concerns to the Maryland Department of the Environment for years, but they have continued to allow Valley Proteins to operate without a current permit or updated pollution controls. We’ve decided to join with ShoreRivers, Chesapeake Legal Alliance, and Chesapeake Bay Foundation to bring legal action against a company that continues to pollute the Transquaking River.”  

In the past, CBF has called for a more stringent wastewater permit for the plant and more transparency around the pollution being pumped into the Transquaking River. 

“We won’t look the other way when businesses pollute our environment,” said Doug Myers, Maryland senior scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “We’ve had significant questions about how this plant is operated and its impacts on surrounding water quality for years that went unanswered. We heard about potential permit updates that were never completed. At this point, we feel like nothing will change except through litigation. We hope the outcome will result in a cleaner Transquaking River and Chesapeake Bay for those who depend on these waterways for their livelihoods and recreation.” 

The goal of this action is to bring Valley Proteins into compliance with its wastewater permit and protect water quality, the environment, and public health. 

Stop Trash Pollution! Join Bay-Wide Cleanup Events in April

Volunteers removed over 200 pounds of trash from the Miles River watershed during Project Clean Stream in 2019.

Trash is everywhere throughout our watersheds—floating in ditches and streams, littering roadways, dirtying parks, and fluttering through farm fields. In April, ShoreRivers and volunteers will host community trash cleanups to help rid our towns, streets, and parks of litter before it reaches our waterways. These events are part of the annual Project Clean Stream, a Bay-wide cleanup organized by the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. Thousands of people across the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed—six states and the District of Columbia—will work together to clean our shared water resource. This is a great way to get outside and make a tangible difference in for own rivers while being a part of the larger effort all across the Bay.

 Join a Project Clean Stream cleanup near you:

·       Saturday, April 3 at 9:00 am: Unionville Road on the Miles River

·       Saturday, April 10 at 8:30 am: Fox Hole Landing on the Sassafras River

·       Sunday, April 11 at 1:30 pm: Wye Mills on the Wye River

·       Saturday, April 17 at 9:00 am: Sassafras Natural Resource Management Area on the Sassafras River

·       Sunday, April 18 at 9:00 am: Greensboro Community Park on the Choptank River

·       Sunday, April 18 at 1:00 pm: Chestertown rail trail on the Chester River

·       Saturday, April 24 at 9:00 am: Easton Point Marina on the Tred Avon River (Choptank watershed)

If you are interested in volunteering to take part in any of these cleanups, please contact Laura Wood at lwood@shorerivers.org. Trash bags and gloves are provided; volunteers are encouraged to bring water, a mask, and wear appropriate attire. To plan your own Project Clean Stream event, visit allianceforthebay.org/project/project-clean-stream.

"Creation Care" in Queen Anne's County: Free Opportunities for Faith Community

St. Paul’s rain garden bed will feature native plants that capture and filter rain water draining from their property before it flows to the Corsica River.

In March 2021, ShoreRivers and congregants of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Centreville began taking action to reduce stormwater runoff—rain water that flows from roofs, driveways, and other hard surfaces—that carries pollution into storm drains, ditches, and ultimately to our rivers.

This effort is part of a larger movement of “Creation care” in Queen Anne’s County, in which members of the faith community increase land and water stewardship through a program called Stewards for Streams. Funded by Chesapeake Bay Trust, Stewards for Streams is a partnership between ShoreRivers, a nonprofit that protects and restores Eastern Shore waterways, and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake, a nonprofit that has engaged over 300 congregations across Maryland in caring for their local watersheds.

ShoreRivers installed a 350-square foot rain garden at St. Paul’s, designed and constructed by Blessing’s Environmental Concepts. When planted with native species, the depressed garden bed will not only collect and filter stormwater runoff, it will attract birds and pollinators. At a sold-out workshop at the church this spring, participants will receive a rain barrel to collect stormwater at their homes. Water in rain barrels can be released slowly and used purposefully, to water gardens and lawns or wash cars.

Stewards for Streams will offer additional public events to congregations in spring 2021:

Thursday, April 22 at 7 pm - Join us for a virtual film screening of “Earth Water Woman” followed by a panel discussion and celebration of congregations’ stewardship efforts. “Earth Water Woman” is a film that spotlights a community reforestation project in Trinidad and Tobago and its charismatic leader, Akilah Jaramogi. A micro-solution for the macro problem of climate change, this documentary urges viewers everywhere to examine their relationship to their watershed. 

Sunday, May 2 at 2 pm - ShoreRivers and Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake will lead a socially distant Interfaith Nature Walk at the Chesapeake Bay Environmental Center in Grasonville. This is the perfect opportunity to learn more about the connection between faith, our local environment, and the call to care for Creation.

Thursdays, June 10, 17 & 24 at 7 pm - For congregations ready to respond to the call to action, a virtual Faithful Green Leaders Training begins June 10 and continues June 17 and June 24. During this three-part series, participants will receive guidance on selecting environmental actions for their congregation, such as film nights, book readings, community cleanups, and river-friendly landscaping. The trainings will be facilitated by Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. Funding, free project planning support, and technical assistance for Queen Anne’s County congregations committed to installing stewardship practices on their grounds will be provided by ShoreRivers.

To learn more about Stewards for Streams, or to RSVP to any of the events mentioned, contact Suzanne Sullivan at ssullivan@shorerivers.org or call 443-358-0511 ext. 214.  Visit ShoreRivers.org and InterfaithChesapeake.org to see more examples of faith-based collaborations to improve our local watersheds.