The Goo is Going!
July 1, 2009 marked the launch of the
inaugural cleanup of contaminated sediments on the Elizabeth River, and
related restoration at Money Point!
Scientists identify the cleanup of contaminated sediments as the top
need for restoring the Elizabeth River, one of the three toxic
tributaries to the Chesapeake Bay.
Money Point culminates a "Goo Must
Go!" campaign of The Elizabeth River Project for the last decade to
identify contamination problems, organize support and complete
engineering designs for the first cleanup.
The event launched Phase
I of the cleanup of 19.5 acres of severe contamination at Money Point,
reducing associated cancer in fish. Phase I includes the removal of the
first toxic hotspot (800 cubic yards) and placement of a 1.3 acre
"living cap" of clean sand and wetlands to restore healthy habitat.
Adjacent, The Elizabeth River Project also will restore 5.5 acres of
tidal wetlands and forested shore at Elizabeth River Terminals, a
private partner donating use of its land for the project.
For decades the Money Point peninsula has been associated with
environmental challenges. In 2006 The Elizabeth River Project announced
a plan for restoring Money Point. The first two phases will be completed
in the next two years and will cost more than $6 million. Five million
dollars will be provided through
The Living
River Restoration Trust, a mitigation fund authorized by the US Army
Corps of Engineers, Norfolk District, and VA Department of Environmental
Quality, and received from APM Terminals Virginia. Additional support
comes from the Environmental Protection Agency's Targeted Watershed
Initiative and Community Action for a Renewed Environment programs,
NOAA's Community Based Habitat Restoration Program, Virginia Department
of Environmental Quality, FishAmerica Foundation, the Virginia Migratory
Waterfowl Stamp Grant Program, Hess Corp., Luck Stone and the members
and donors of Elizabeth River Project.
"Leaders from across the public and private sectors and federal,
state and local levels joined us to launch this important project and
celebrate those who have helped make this possible," says Marjorie
Mayfield Jackson, executive director of The Elizabeth River Project.
"Please know we are deeply grateful for your commitment to restoring our
home river. Together we will reach our ultimate goal of a
Swimmable-Fishable Elizabeth River by 2020."
Read the story of the the five-point plant in our earlier story,
Discover
the Treasure.
Explore more Money Point details from the links at right.
Click thumbnails below for photos of the big
launch!
