Labor Day 2001 Minutes, continued

Don Leeger reported that he has only an educated guess that our membership is around 270 to whatever.

Bob Born reported the server for our web site has moved and the new stuff is up and running. We secured the domain name for only $8.95 a year. A motion was passed to spend up to $250 to buy software to post the newsletter online and make it available via e-mail, thus reducing our considerable bill with the post office. More on this later.

Vic Thomas could not be present to receive the Randy Carter Award so the Roanoke Chapter graciously volunteered to arrange for the presentation when Vic could be hog tied.

A motion was passed to transfer $2,000 in seed money from the FFV checking account to the FFV Foundation.

Officers currently on the job were held over and Bryon Jones was acclaimed as our new prez-elect.

Discussion on a donation to the River Keeper program was tabled until the December meeting.

Bill Duncan suggested the membership consider volunteering to be a part of the state parks’ canoeing program. His wife, Leah, is involved at Chippokes Plantation State Park. She is asking for help there as well at other state parks, offering guided canoe excursions, etc.

Her e-mail is holleah@whro.net.

Submitted with the usual trepidation and heightened wariness,

Wright Ellis
(Alias A. Wrighttus)

Vic Thomas Gets IT!
Randy Carter Award
Presented to Him
In Roanoke

Citing Vic’s laudable contributions to river conservation, Conservation Chairperson Bill Tanger presented the 2000 Randy Cater award to Vic Thomas at the September meeting of the Roanoke Valley Float Fishermen of Virginia. Vic graciously accepted the award and told his version of first contact with Bill and how Bill left an indelible impression on him.

What is the Riverkeeper Project?

Ed. note: this article is a condensation of information printed in the Richmond Times-Dispatch and provided by Cris Leonard.

The Blackwater/Notoway Riverkeeper program, spearheaded by Jeff Turner, acts locally to punch up water quality and the aquatic environment in his end of town. Located in Sussex, Southampton and Isle of Wight Counties, these two rivers run south to the Carolina line, where they merge to form the Chowan River. Both rivers are home to abundant wildlife, including beaver, bald eagles, mink, warblers and numerous fish. Both are lined with cypress trees, tupelos, sweet gums and birches.

Although a serious car wreck left him partially disabled 23 years ago, Turner did not decide to take disability until 5 years ago and now spends as much time as possible on these wild, swampy rivers. Two Springs ago, Turner channeled his private passion into public service, becoming an official river keeper, affiliated with the Water Keeper Alliance, a nonprofit umbrella group in White Plains, NY, led by Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.

There are over 56 keeper programs in the United States, monitoring waterways from the Puget Sound in Washington to the Cape Fear River in North Carolina. As of this time last year, Turner was Virginia’s first river keeper. He reports pollution, picks up trash, preaches conservation and generally runs a one-man neighborhood watch from his aluminum bass boat.

Turner scored his first big success as river keeper when he spotted raw sewage running into the Blackwater River. He reported it to the state. The DEQ then told the offender, Birdsong Peanuts, to halt their discharge. About the same time, he spotted sudsy water pouring from a car wash into the river. Franklin officials shut it down.

When interviewed last Fall for the Richmond Times article, Turner stated he was seeking non-profit status, hoping to operate on grants and donations. He set his first year goal as $8,000 for expenses and a small salary.