Friends of the Rappahannock and Community Partners Receive
National Watershed Award
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The Friends of the Rappahannock and their partners in the
Rappahannock-Rapidan watershed have been collectively recognized as one of
three 1999 community winners across the nation of the CF Industries National
Watershed Award. Representatives of Friends of the Rappahannock (F.O.R.)
and their project partners are being invited to a special presentation
ceremony at the U.S. Department of Agriculture on November 9 in Washington,
DC.
The award recognizes the accomplishments of three major partnership
initiatives led by the F.O.R. in the Rappahannock-Rapidan watershed:
* "Growing Greener" — An initiative working with developers, engineers,
architects and local governments to implement innovative stormwater "best
management practices" (BMPs) that provide both water quality and economic
benefits. The outreach initiative has facilitated the design and
installation of several state-of-the-art urban stormwater treatment systems
in the watershed.
* "Conservation Through Cooperation" — An initiative working with farmers
and other stakeholders in the upper watershed to plant streamside forest
buffers and keep livestock out of streams. The project has resulted in 2.2
linear miles of forest buffers and streambank restoration in the upper
watershed in the past 18 months.
* "Embrey Dam Removal" —This initiative has led to the building of local
consensus and leadership to remove Embrey Dam and restore passage for
striped bass, shad and other migratory species to their historic spawning
waters. The removal of the Dam, expected within 3 years, will open up over
70 mainstem river miles for spawning.
"We are particularly honored because this national award recognizes the
growing partnership efforts among a wide range of local stakeholders who are
taking a sense of personal ownership in their river or local tributary…..and
translating that into on-the-ground measures for river protection," said
John Tippett, F.O.R.'s executive director.
Comments on the Projects and the Award
"The Fredericksburg Area Builders Association is committed to responsible
actions that protect water quality," declared F.A.B.A. president Dennis
Jasinski, "and we hope this growing partnership effort with F.O.R. to
facilitate implementation of reduced-impact best management practices by
builders can serve as a positive example for others."
"It is my hope this national recognition for the 'Conservation Through
Cooperation' partnership will inspire more farmers and non-farm neighbors in
the Rappahannock-Rapidan watershed to find ways to work together," observed
George Beals, a Spotsylania County farmer and conservation leader.
"The City of Fredericksburg takes our stewardship responsibilities to the
beautiful Rappahannock River seriously," noted Mayor William Greenup in
applauding the national watershed award. "F.O.R. has been a strong partner
in working with the City and other interests to build consensus and support
for removing the Embrey Dam."
The CF Industries National Watershed Award recognizes corporate and
community excellence in watershed protection, focusing on innovative,
nonregulatory approaches. Particular emphasis is placed on local
partnerships that demonstrate the success of economic incentives, voluntary
initiatives, and education. The Award was launched in 1996 as a partnership
between CF Industries, The Conservation Fund and the National Geographic
Society. The United States Environmental Protection Agency joined as a lead
partner this year to help expand the program.
CF Industries, Inc., is one of North America’s largest interregional
cooperatives, owned by and serving 11 regional cooperatives, including
Southern States Cooperative, Inc. which serves farmer-members in the
Mid-Atlantic and Southeast. Through its farmer-members, CF’s fertilizer
products reach more than one million farmers and ranchers in 48 states and
two Canadian provinces.
The Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit organization, seeks sustainable
conservation solutions for the 21st century, emphasizing the integration of
economic and environmental goals. Through real estate transactions,
demonstration projects, education, and community-based activities, the Fund
seeks innovative long-term measures to conserve land and water.
Friends of the Rappahannock (F.O.R.) is a nonprofit river conservation
organization with over 1,000 members. The Friends are headquartered along
the fall line of the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, Virginia with a
satellite office in Orange, Virginia. F.O.R.’s main programs include
community advocacy, restoration projects, technical assistance, and
education. F.O.R. seeks to leverage its resources by fostering a sense
watershed identity and ownership in the health of the Rappahannock-Rapidan
Rivers among all watershed citizens--individuals, businesses and local
jurisdictions. FOR works to build targeted partnerships where possible
through dialogue, increased understanding and consensus-based action. For
more information about F.O.R: www.crrl.org/for ; ;
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