Local filmmaker Brandon Montijo and a crew of stud SUPers went out to Bosher’s Dam a few weeks ago to put shoot this short video. If you’re not familiar with Bosher’s Dam, it’s the one you see when you look upstream while crossing the Willey Bridge. This is definitely a “don’t try this at home” type of video, but man is it cool that these guys are trying it!

High levels of arsenic, lead and other toxins associated with coal ash have been found in water and sediment samples from a popular recreation area surrounding the Chesterfield Power Station. The results came from recent testing by the James River Association and the Southern Environmental Law Center.

The Chesterfield coal ash ponds, ringed with walking trails, are in the middle of areas used for hiking, bicycling, boating and fishing. Thousands of visitors a year explore the Dutch Gap Conservation Area and Henricus Historical Park. Both facilities border the coal ash pits.

Results from recent water testing around Dominion Power’s Chesterfield plant show elevated levels of coal ash pollutants. Credit: Mike Mather/SELC

In an email sent earlier this month to state officials, SELC and the James River Association wrote, “The results reveal significant pollution in the surface waters surrounding the plant – waters which are heavily used for recreation.”

The email went to Virginia Department of Environmental Quality Director David Paylor and Secretary of Natural Resources Molly Ward. The latest test results from water next to the coal ash pits showed high concentrations of zinc, nickel, copper and lead which is evidence that coal ash toxins are leaking into the water. A sediment sample taken from a cove located between the two Chesterfield ash ponds showed “highly elevated arsenic.”

The test results come as the State Water Control Board will be asked on Sept. 22 to approve a water discharge permit that would authorize Dominion to drain water from some of Chesterfield’s coal ash ponds. That’s in preparation for Dominion Virginia Power’s eventual plan to bury the ash on the banks of the James River.

“The recent test results also confirm the Chesterfield coal ash pits and ponds are leaking toxins, but what is most troubling is that the pollution is seeping into water that draws fishermen and families,” said Brad McLane, an SELC attorney. “And under Dominion’s plan to bury this coal ash right where it sits, on the banks of the James River, this pollution could continue forever.”

The area is believed to contain at least 20 million tons of toxic coal ash, but actual volume of ash is not known.

“These test results are clearly a concern to us, but should also be worrisome to everyone who hikes the trails, canoes in the lake, or fishes from the bank,” said Jamie Brunkow, Lower James Riverkeeper for the James River Association. “Toxins are literally leaking out of the ash ponds and into areas that the county considers a top recreational draw.”

SELC and JRA are urging the water-control board to require the DEQ to revise the water pollution permit to impose stronger protections of the James River before DEQ issues the permit to Dominion. SELC and JRA are also opposing Dominion’s plans to bury the coal ash at the site, and instead are advocating for a better solution that will stop the leaching of pollution into the James River.

Credit: Joshua Weiner

Back in the spring, Riverside Outfitters owner, Matt Perry, and I had the pleasure of showing Boulder, Colo. resident Josh Weiner around RVA on mountain bikes. Who’s Josh Weiner? He’s the artist Richmond commissioned to create a sculpture at the southern terminus of the T. Tyler Potterfield Memorial Bridge.

Weiner was in town to scope out the area where the sculpture would sit, get the lay of the land and learn about the city and its relationship to the river. Well, yesterday he released what he calls “The Path Untraveled,” a series of 17-foot-tall rings that cut along the landscape at the base of the bridge (which is under construction and will offer a bike/ped pathway from Brown’s Island to Manchester).

In his proposal, Weiner writes that he hopes his vision of 10 rings, “an artwork of new paths, uncharted territory and flow will honor this legacy of pathways,” he writes. “The artwork laces through the transition zone from civilization to nature, riding the edge of nature, dancing between the built and the wild. I was drawn to create a playful connection between nature and our civilized world.”

Like most public art, Weiner’s vision has already generated much discussion. Take a look at the pictures he included with his proposal and see what you think.

Have you followed the story of the two coyotes who attacked and killed a dog in its family’s front yard near Riverside Drive in south Richmond? It happened over the weekend in the Forest Hill neighborhood near Forest Hill Park.

A coyote in the James River Park on July 4th. Credit: Science in the Park/Friends of James River Park

As a dog owner, I really feel for the family that lost their pet. I’m also not surprised that it happened. As the game department’s Aaron Proctor told the Times-Dispatch: “Coyotes do live across Virginia now and are reported in almost every county. Unfortunately, coyote attacks on house pets is not uncommon. If you have domestic animals, it could happen anywhere.”

Years ago when I was the Outdoors columnist at the Times-Dispatch, I would get reports from readers every so often of coyote sightings in the James River Park System. I didn’t doubt their veracity, but no one ever had photographic evidence. That changed last year when cameras deployed in the park by the Friends of the James River Park captured still images and video of coyotes in many different park units.

“We have documented them on the north side of the river and the south side of the river in several places, as well as on Belle Isle,” VCU professor Anne Wright told the Times-Dispatch. “I think we can take from that that they’re everywhere.”

Click here and here if you want to know more about coyotes in Virginia.

Volunteers at a previous James River Regional Cleanup. Credit: JRAC

Online registration is now open for the annual James River Regional Cleanup scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 10, 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. Volunteers can select from 17 different cleanup sites throughout the James River watershed. Visit www.jrac-va.org to sign up.

Now in its 17th year, the cleanup is a tremendous regional effort, led by the James River Advisory Council. JRAC provides a forum for the diverse interests along the James River in Central Virginia and engages the public about issues and challenges facing the river. JRAC’s vision is a healthy, beautiful, economically vital and accessible James River that is cared for by a diverse and engaged community that acts on its behalf.

JRAC’s membership includes representatives from local jurisdictions, businesses and industry, civic organizations and individuals. By leading discussions about the river, and hosting regional events and programs, the council sets the tone for positive and interactive relationships among partners throughout the region.

Each year, volunteers remove hundreds of bags of trash and recyclable materials from the James and its tributaries. The cleanup is open to individuals, families, groups, boaters and paddlers. Bring water and gloves, and wear closed-toe shoes.

For more information, call 804-748-1567 or email info@jrac-va.org.

You gotta love the crew at Riverside Outfitters — crushing it on a river swollen well past flood stage is really just a day at the office. Check out this video of the boys rafting the James at 14.5 feet (12 feet is official flood stage). It’ll either make you want to get out there with them, stay as far from the river at that level as possible or play the Legend of Zelda on your original Nintendo. Or all of those. Somehow. Trust me…

Richmond’s Department of Public Utilities is launching its Storm Drain Art Project, a new initiative to raise citizen awareness of the importance of keeping our streets and waterways free of debris and pollution.

DPU is seeking five artists to paint five storm drains that flow directly into the James River in downtown Richmond (along Tredegar Street from the American Civil War Center at Tredegar to Brown’s Island). Anyone age 18 and above can apply; the competition is online and the deadline to enter is May 30. The five winning artists will be announced in June and artists will paint the drains throughout June.  

With the Storm Drain Art Project, Richmond DPU is hoping to engage citizens to keep their streets, sidewalks and lawns free of debris and pollution, because “It All Drains to the James.”  This is the first storm drain art project for Richmond. Other cities have gotten behind this movement and have successfully brought art and awareness to what’s often an overlooked aspects of city streets: storm drains. Check out these links to examples of storm drain projects in Baltimore, Austin, Tx., and Bentonville, Ark. 

The cove on Chapel Island. Credit: Veronica Reddic

Hello trailheads, the weather has been funky out there lately and it’d be nice to see some consistency come along. This should keep you in the mood to continue checking out spots that the James River has to offer and get you pumped up for that warm weather to spend much needed time at the river hanging out. The spot I bring to you today — Chapel Island — is awesome; it doesn’t offer too much in terms of hiking distance, but you and your pup will love what it has to offer.

Chapel Island is a piece of land that runs along 14th street to Pear Street in the Shockoe Bottom area of downtown Richmond. Throughout the island and along the way to get there, you’ll see lots of history from when it was used to as a harbor and boat-building area in the early 1800’s. To get to the island you’ll need to cross over the canals at Shiplock Park. Once you cross you will be stepping foot into history. If you make your way down the stairs, you’ll run into a nice calm cove where the water from the canal overflows into. Along this cove are plenty of beach spots that give you access to the water for a nice swim. The water here is shallow, and you can walk quite a ways out into the river. When there hasn’t been rain for awhile, the water is clear, and you’re able to see where you’re walking. This is a perfect place to take water-shy dogs for their first swim since the water here is calm and you’re able to get in with them and help them along.

Swimming off of Chapel Island. Credit: Veronica Reddic

There are several trails along the island that you and your pup can check out. Off to the right of the cove is a trail that leads further into the island. The trails split off in many directions giving lovely views of the river. Along one trail you will run into large concrete walls, this is what’s left of the Trigg Shipyard where warships were built. The area isn’t a very big hiking sight, but the trails do go all over and you can go through thick brush, hop over fallen trees and even climb over a few. Toward the back of the island, you’ll find a trail that leads out and goes upriver towards Browns Island. This trail will take you all the way around to the Canal Walk where you can walk along the canal and enjoy the city.

Be advised, after a good rain the area can get very muddy and very slippery, so take caution if you visit after a heavy rain. This is such a beautiful place to visit any time of year, but more fun during the warm days of summer for a nice dip in the water.