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 TBT
Nitrogen
Virginia Conservation Network White Paper: TBT
Statement of Issue: Considered by EPA to be the most toxic substance ever intentionally released into our waters, TBT is the highly toxic active ingredient in antifouling paints applied to ship hulls. So toxic, that it impacts marine organisms in concentrations as low as 1 part per Trillion. Due to the extreme toxicity of TBT the International Maritime Organization (an arm of the United Nations) has proposed a global ban on the use of TBT-based paints by 2008.
A landmark agreement has been reached ending a more than 10-year long battle over discharges of TBT (Tributyltin) to Virginia waters. CBF has successfully negotiated an agreement between Virginia's shipbuilding industry and the State that limits TBT discharges from each shipyard to the miniscule amount of 5 grams per year. In addition, shipyards have to do extensive monitoring and treat all wastewater with state-of-the-art cleansing technologies.
Background: During the 2002 legislative session, several pieces of legislation were introduced to weaken Virginia's water quality standard for TBT. (see 2002 VCN TBT White Paper)
Algae, barnacles and other marine organisms attach themselves to ship bottoms, translating into millions of dollars in increased fuel costs to the global shipping industry. TBT is designed to kill those organisms and keep the ship bottom clean. Unfortunately, TBT effects many other Bay critters including oysters and crabs. Virginia's shipbuilding industry discharges significant amounts of TBT to waters in the Hampton Roads area where TBT-laden paints are routinely scraped from ship hulls and reapplied. Virginia's Hampton Roads region is home to several large ship building and repair companies, several of which specialize in removal and re-application of bottom paints, oftentimes containing TBT. As a result, the waters, sediment and bottom organisms of the Southern and Eastern Branches of the Elizabeth River are contaminated with elevated levels of TBT.
At the present time, even after several years and millions of dollars in state and federal monies, a treatment technology does not exist to consistently cleanse shipyard wastewater down to levels that are completely protective of Virginia's waters. Until such technology is developed, the new agreement signed in July 2002 will ensure that shipyards implement the most effective treatment technology to date, discharge only miniscule amounts of TBT to Virginia waters and continue to pursue research that will produce even better technologies.
Recommendation: Due to strong opposition by environmental groups and concerned citizens, the legislation proposed in the 2002 legislative session was withdrawn in lieu of the TBT Agreement described above. This represents a hard fought victory for the health of Virginia's waters.
No further action is required at this time.
Contact: Jeff Corbin, Chesapeake bay Foundation, 1108 E. Main St, Suite 1600, 804/780-1392, 804/648-4011, jcorbin@cbf.org August 2002
Virginia Conservation Network White Paper:
Nitrogen Pollution
Statement of Issue: Nitrogen pollution is the most serious problem facing the Bay today. Nitrogen overload causes organisms such as algae to grow so rapidly that they cloud the water, limit light penetration, and consume oxygen when they die. This endangers all the living resources in the Bay, including underwater grasses and young fish and crabs. Unfortunately, as the watershed’s population grows and land-use patterns change, the amount of nitrogen entering the Bay’s waters increases tremendously. Each year, roughly 300 million pounds of nitrogen reach the Chesapeake Bay. Upgrading the watershed’s large sewage treatment plants is the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s top priority, and the most cost-effective single step we can take right now to clean the Chesapeake Bay’s water. It would provide tremendous benefits to the plants, animals, and humans that depend on the Bay.
Background: Largely because of nitrogen pollution, the U.S. EPA categorizes the Chesapeake as an “impaired” water body. That this global treasure--formerly one of the world’s most productive estuaries--is listed among America’s dirty waters is a national embarrassment. In this day and age, it is equally tragic and absurd that under-treated sewage is a key source of this pollution. The constant release of nitrogen-polluted water by outdated and overwhelmed sewage treatment plants contributes to Bay water that is unhealthy for rockfish, crabs, underwater grasses, and in some cases, humans. When they signed the Chesapeake 2000 Bay agreement, our leaders pledged to get the Bay off the impaired list by 2010. To fulfill that commitment, we will have to eliminate approximately half of all nitrogen entering the Bay (or 150 million pounds annually). By upgrading all the watershed’s large sewage treatment plants with state of the art “nutrient removal technology,” we can remove up to 42 million pounds of nitrogen, or roughly one-third of the needed reductions. Recommendation: A priority must be placed on upgrading the watershed’s large sewage treatment plants. It is the single most cost-effective single step we can take right now to clean the Chesapeake Bay’s water. It would provide tremendous benefits to the plants, animals, and humans that depend on the Bay. The process that leads to sewage plant upgrades is expensive and painstaking, but as proven by Washington, DC’s exemplary Blue Plains plant, the payoffs for local communities and the Bay is enormous. Working with outside experts, we are prioritizing plants around the Bay watershed that need upgrades. Citizen support will play a critical role in helping ensure upgrades in the coming year. You can also take steps around your home to reduce nitrogen pollution by conserving electricity, driving less, and reducing or eliminating fertilizer usage.
Contact:
Jeff Corbin
Name:
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Address:
1108 E. Main St, Suite 1600 Richmond 23219
Phone:
804/780-1392
Fax:
804/648-4011
Email:
jcorbin@cbf.org
August 2002
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