Rediscover the Elizabeth’s Lost Branch · Rediscover the Elizabeth’s Lost Branch ... away,...
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The Eastern Branch Needs YOU Rediscover the Elizabeth’s Lost Branch Travel along the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River and you’ll catch glimpses of this historic waterway as you wind your way through three cities – Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. This branch once welcomed sailing ships at the long-vanished port of Kemps Landing, and oysters were so abundant that their shells were used to form the “Shell Road,” now Indian River Road. But not anymore, today the Eastern Branch needs your help. This branch is now the Elizabeth’s most polluted, earning way too many F’s and the river’s worst grades in a 2014 Scorecard (Elizabeth River Project & Virginia Department of Environmental Quality). GOOD NEWS! Join the new momentum to clean up the lost Eastern Branch. The Elizabeth River Project, three cities and many partners are carrying out a new plan to improve the health of this branch, but we need your help. Donate today. And consider our free programs for River Star homes, schools and businesses. Visit elizabethriver.org YOU can be a River Star Home by following 7 easy steps! Receive a FREE beautiful yard flag and possible funding to improve your yard! Or you can donate to help carry out the plan for your river to become a thriving, healthy river once again. A cleaner Eastern Branch starts with YOU. Become a River Star Home today: riverstarhomes.org - It’s FREE & FUN! Making restoration a reality Making restoration a reality Eastern Branch Critter Facts Reduce Fertilizer in Your Yard. Save money, time and the river. Funding is available for a River Star Homes organic river, dog, and kid-friendly lawn makeover! “Scoop the Poop.” Dog waste washes straight into the river when it rains and contains harmful bacteria that makes it unsafe to eat oysters or swim. Even if you don’t live directly on river, pick up after your pets on walks and in your yard, especially before it rains. Become a River Star Home. Join over 2,800 of your friends and neighbors in pledging to 7 simple steps that will improve the health of the river. Learn more at RiverStarHomes.org or call (757) 399-7487. A cleaner river starts with YOU. 1. Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica) A single oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day! Oysters were once so plentiful on the Eastern Branch that Indian River Road was called “Shell Road.” With your help, Elizabeth River Project & partners will bring back the native oyster. 2. North American River Otter (Lutra canadensis) River otters are the “poster species” of the Elizabeth. Watch for their return as a sign of recovering river health. 3. Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) Red drum and many other fish rely on near shore waters as nurseries. Poor water quality can have drastic effects on “puppy” drum survival. 4. Great Egret (Ardea alba) Common on the Eastern Branch, these long-legged wading birds nest in trees near water and gather in groups, called colonies. 5. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) Bald eagles, often seen on the Indian River, build their nests at the very tops of tall trees to keep their eggs safe. They can spot fish up to a mile away, swooping down at up to 100 miles an hour to snag dinner. 6. Blue Crab (Callinectus sapidus) The scientific name for the blue crab means “beautiful swimmer.” Female crabs, or “sooks,”have red tips on their claws, males, or “jimmies” don’t. 7. Marsh Fiddler Crab (Uca pugnax) Male fiddler crabs have one large front claw and one small one. Females and their young have two small claws. Fiddlers usually live in 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Admirals Landing 475 Water Street, Suite 103A Portsmouth, VA 23704 elizabethriver.org Population: 166,265 (2010 census); 56,000 households Cities: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, VA Size: About 40 square miles of “watershed” or land draining into the Eastern Branch Oyster harvesting banned since: 1925 Reason for ban: Harmful bacteria Suspected sources of bacteria: Pet and wild animal waste, aging sewer systems, leaking septic tanks, and naturally occurring bacteria. Plus, grease down the sink can clog sewer lines and cause sewage overflows. Pet waste washes directly into the river – make sure you “scoop the poop.” Water quality impacts to fish and crabs: Low levels of oxygen, which fish and other aquatic life need to breathe; excess nutrients that cause algae blooms that can lead to fish kills; chemicals called PCBs Sources of pollution: Excess lawn fertilizer, grass clippings down the storm drain, litter, discarded fishing line, derelict vessels, old landfills, and boat waste discharges Eastern Branch Facts Read our full plan for restoring the Eastern Branch at elizabethriver.org.
Transcript of Rediscover the Elizabeth’s Lost Branch · Rediscover the Elizabeth’s Lost Branch ... away,...
The Eastern Branch Needs YOURediscover the Elizabeth’s Lost Branch Travel along the Eastern Branch of the Elizabeth River and you’ll catch glimpses of this historic waterway as you wind your way through three cities – Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach. This branch once welcomed sailing ships at the long-vanished port of Kemps Landing, and oysters were so abundant that their shells were used to form the “Shell Road,” now Indian River Road. But not anymore, today the Eastern Branch needs your help. This branch is now the Elizabeth’s most polluted, earning way too many F’s and the river’s worst grades in a 2014 Scorecard (Elizabeth River Project & Virginia
Department of Environmental Quality).
GOOD NEWS! Join the new momentum to clean up the lost Eastern Branch. The Elizabeth River Project, three cities and many partners are carrying out a new plan to improve the health of this branch, but we need your help. Donate today. And consider our free programs for River Star homes, schools and businesses. Visit elizabethriver.org
YOU can be a River Star Home by following 7 easy steps! Receive a FREE beautiful yard flag and possible funding to improve your yard! Or you can donate to help carry out the plan for your river to become a thriving, healthy river once again.
A cleaner Eastern Branch starts with YOU. Become a River Star Home today: riverstarhomes.org - It’s FREE & FUN!
Making restoration a realityMaking restoration a reality
East
ern
Bran
ch
Crit
ter F
acts
Reduce Fertilizer in Your Yard. Save money, time and the river. Funding is available for a River Star Homes organic river, dog, and kid-friendly lawn makeover!“Scoop the Poop.” Dog waste washes straight into the river when it rains and contains harmful bacteria that makes it unsafe to eat oysters or swim. Even if you don’t live directly on river, pick up after your pets on walks and in your yard, especially before it rains.Become a River Star Home. Join over 2,800 of your friends and neighbors in pledging to 7 simple steps that will improve the health of the river. Learn more at RiverStarHomes.org or call (757) 399-7487.
A cleaner river starts
with YOU.
1. Eastern Oyster (Crassostrea virginica)A single oyster can filter 50 gallons of water a day! Oysters were once so plentiful on the Eastern Branch that Indian River Road was called “Shell Road.” With your help, Elizabeth River Project & partners will bring back the native oyster.
2. North American River Otter (Lutra canadensis) River otters are the “poster species” of the Elizabeth. Watch for their return as a sign of recovering river health.
3. Red Drum (Sciaenops ocellatus)Red drum and many other fish rely on near shore waters as nurseries. Poor water quality can have drastic effects on “puppy” drum survival. 4. Great Egret (Ardea alba)Common on the Eastern Branch, these long-legged wading birds nest in trees near water and gather in groups, called colonies.
5. Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus)Bald eagles, often seen on the Indian River, build their nests at the very tops of tall trees to keep their eggs safe. They can spot fish up to a mile away, swooping down at up to 100 miles an hour to snag dinner.
6. Blue Crab (Callinectus sapidus)The scientific name for the blue crab means “beautiful swimmer.” Female crabs, or “sooks,”have red tips on their claws, males, or “jimmies” don’t.
7. Marsh Fiddler Crab (Uca pugnax)Male fiddler crabs have one large front claw and one small one. Females and their young have two small claws. Fiddlers usually live in
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Admirals Landing475 Water Street, Suite 103APortsmouth, VA 23704elizabethriver.org
Population: 166,265 (2010 census); 56,000 householdsCities: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, VA Size: About 40 square miles of “watershed” or land draining into the Eastern BranchOyster harvesting banned since: 1925Reason for ban: Harmful bacteriaSuspected sources of bacteria: Pet and wild animal waste, aging sewer systems, leaking septic tanks, and naturally occurring bacteria. Plus, grease down the sink can clog sewer lines and cause sewage overflows. Pet waste washes directly into the river – make sure you “scoop the poop.”Water quality impacts to fish and crabs: Low levels of oxygen, which fish and other aquatic life need to breathe; excess nutrients that cause algae blooms that can lead to fish kills; chemicals called PCBsSources of pollution: Excess lawn fertilizer, grass clippings down the storm drain, litter, discarded fishing line, derelict vessels, old landfills, and boat waste dischargesEa
ster
n Br
anch
Fac
ts
Read our full plan for restoring the Eastern Branch at elizabethriver.org.
River Oaks
Kempsville
Ingleside Elizabeth Park
Woodbine
Chesterfield Heights
Berkley
Harbor Park
PoplarHalls
Woodstock
College Park
Greenbrier
River Oaks Park
Woodstock Park
Riverside Memorial Park
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Poplar Halls Park
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Indian River
Lake James
Stumpy Lake
Pescara CreekWetland Restoration Steamboat
Creek
Broad Creek
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Indian River Park
Campostella Heights
the Eastern BranchRediscover
of the Elizabeth River
A “Green” Community Center: NRHA earned Model Level River Star Business for the super-energy efficient Grandy Village Learning Center. Look for the restored wetlands around it. Learning Barge often docks here! Historic Significance: The
headwaters of the Eastern Branch once formed a colonial port for sailing ships known as Kemp’s Landing (now Kempsville). In November 1775, John Ackiss was killed there by Royal Governor Lord Dunmore’s militia in the Skirmish of Kempsville. Ackiss became the first Virginian casualty of the American Revolution.
Oldest Family-Owned Shipyard: Founded in 1875, Colonna’s is one of 114 River Star Businesses and the oldest family-owned private shipyard in the United States.
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A Unique Vessel: On Seneca Avenue in Chesapeake rests the multi-story wooden Colonna’s houseboat, marooned in the 1930s by a hurricane.
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Norfolk
Virginia Beach
Chesapeake
A watershed is the area that drains into a waterway when it rains. If you live or work anywhere in the green area, runoff from your yard or business impacts the Eastern Branch.
Parks
Canoe or kayak access
Highest priority restoration areas based on high levels of bacteria
The Eastern Branch Watershed:
Make Your Home a Star: River Star Homes follow 7 easy practices to restore the health of the Elizabeth River. Earn your free yard flag, riverstarhomes.org
Write Your Chapter in the Eastern Branch Story: Become a part of one of the greatest river restorations of our time.
Get Out on the River: The Elizabeth River Project is working to improve public access on the Eastern Branch for recreational use.
Failing Score: Broad Creek got an F from scientists (2014). Find your role in restoration: elizabethriver.org.
Failing Score: Indian River earned an F in Scorecard 2014. Help! It’s free to be a River Star Home - RiverStar-Homes.org
Oyster Reef Coming: Elizabeth River Project & Chesapeake Bay Foundation are building a one-acre oyster reef here in 2016.
Model Redevelopment: Elizabeth River Project is working with City of Norfolk to plan a model redevelopment and greening of this shore.
