The Elizabeth River Project and partners have launched a $3.1 million project - Phase 2 at Money Point, on the Southern Branch of the Elizabeth River - to remove contamination associated with cancer in bottom-dwelling fish.

Funded primarily by the Living River Restoration Trust and managed by Elizabeth River Project, Phase 2 began in early June and will be completed by fall of 2011. Construction contractors are removing about 15,000 cubic yards of river sediments contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAH, for safe disposal at a controlled landfill. Once the dredging is completed sand will be put on the river bottom to provide clean habitat for bottom dwelling fish and other river animals. A 3-acre oyster reef will also be restored at the site which will complement the clean river bottom.

"This is tremendous progress toward addressing our No. 1 challenge - contaminated sediments in the river bottom," said Marjorie Mayfield Jackson, Executive Director. "Without addressing toxics in the river bottom, the rest of the river will not be able to recover."

During Phase 2, conducted as a pilot project in 2009, partners removed a smaller amount of contamination, coupled with restoring clean sand and creating a large restoring wetland. Already, results are highly encouraging, with PAH levels reduced dramatically and 17 species of fish found to have returned. Scientists even have spotted bald eagles in the restoration area.

More clean up challenges remain for the Elizabeth, one of the most polluted rivers on the East Coast.

Help us make restoration a reality! Become a member of Elizabeth River Project today. We invite you especially to consider the new Mummichog Society. Named for the mummichog indicator species that has shown high cancer rates associated with PAH, the Society recognizes our top donors to river restoration at the level of $2,500 or more for individuals and $5,000 or more for organizations. Read more here and contact Caitlin Kilpatrick, ckilpatrick@elizabethriver.org, 399-7487, for how you can help.