Microplastics

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Microplastics are small, barely visible pieces of plastic that enter and pollute the environment. Microplastics are not a specific kind of plastic, but rather any type of plastic fragment that is less than five millimeters in length according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Microplastic pollution is attributed to a culture of littering, citizens’ lack of involvement in recycling, and the amount of plastic packaging in the U.S. Additionally, plastics degrade slowly, often over hundreds of years. This increases the probability of microplastics being ingested and incorporated into, and accumulated in, the bodies and tissues of many organisms.

SOLUTION

Unfortunately, there is no easy answer for eliminating microplastic pollution. Tennessee Riverkeeper conducts cleanups concentrating on plastic litter removal. Litter is easier to remove from shorelines and shallow water. Once it gets into deep water it can be difficult to remove.

Other steps that could help in the meantime: a reduction in single-use plastics, support for the implementation of a bottle bill, reduction or substitution of plastic packaging, and the use of reusable plastic, among others.

sedimentation

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As in every major American river system, development is a major pollution issue in the Tennessee River watershed. New, uncontrolled development releases sediment and silt into the river and its tributaries, reducing the amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. These projects are required to use Best Management Practices (BMPs) for erosion and runoff control but they rarely implement or enforce them correctly.

Storm-water runoff is generally recognized as the single largest threat to water quality in the United States, both in rural and urban settings. Rainwater picks up pollution as it runs over manmade surfaces, polluting our swimming holes and poisoning our drinking water. Surges of rainwater that are channeled directly into our waterways through storm drains increase the magnitude of floods. Runoff from paved surfaces, development, and lawns enter storm drains and flow directly to streams untreated. Storm-water runoff alters the amount, quality, and temperature of water in our rivers and creeks.

industrial pollution

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As we target each sub-watershed, our staff Riverkeeper and prosecuting attorney review the Clean Water Act permits for “point source” industrial dischargers. The Tennessee Riverkeeper also addresses other issues that arise and responds to citizen complaints. The Riverkeeper fields complaints in person, via telephone, and on our online pollution report form.

SOLUTION

In addition to monitoring the discharge monitoring reports found within these pollution permits, the Tennessee Riverkeeper uses emerging technology to investigate “at the pipe” discharge problems which may have evaded self-monitoring. We look for and address industrial discharges as we patrol on the water, on the ground, and from the air. We utilize aerial surveillance. SouthWings, Inc., a non-profit organization, and their volunteer air-force have agreed to provide pro-bono flight support.

Coal mining and burning

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Coal burning power plants and coal ash from coal burning plants present the greatest coal related environmental challenge in the Tennessee watershed. Several TVA coal fired power plants exist in the watershed and they all have coal ash disposal sites. These sites must be monitored to detect problems before another disaster occurs, like the Kingston spill (see below). The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cites coal-burning power plants as the leading source of mercury air emissions, which end up in the tissue of fish that people eat. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, and especially dangerous to children and developing fetuses. Coal-burning power plants are also major emitters of air pollutants, including carbon dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxide.

KINGSTON COAL ASH SPILL

The Kingston, Tennessee spill in December 2008 (in the Tennessee Watershed) illustrates the consequences of failure to adequately address this problem and has brought the problem to the forefront. The spill area itself presents the problem of what to do with massive amounts of coal ash after it has entered the environment. Dredging presents problems as does disposal of dredged material, and no ready answers are available.

solution

Tennessee Riverkeeper is working to develop a monitoring plan for these sites.

sewage

ABOUT

A top priority campaign for Tennessee Riverkeeper is to systematically investigate sewage from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) in the Tennessee River basin. We are aware that there are many significant sewage problems in the watershed.

STRATEGY

We have developed a database of all WWTPs and known problems in the watershed, which is a major first step in addressing sewage violations. We have reviewed all wastewater NPDES permit holders’ public documents for self-reported violations (DMRs), inspections by the state or EPA, and enforcement actions. When problem dischargers are found, the Riverkeeper and its legal team develops a plan of addressing the problems. If litigation is required, we develop and implement a litigation strategy.

RESULTS

We have, so far, addressed over 30,720 Clean Water Act violations at the following WWTPs by filing a notice of intent to sue and, where required, following up with a lawsuit. We are now seeing a significant reduction in violations at WWTPs in Alabama and Tennessee which means less sewage is being released into the Tennessee River and its tributaries!

Threatened and endangered species

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About a dozen fish species found in the Tennessee River Basin are federally listed as endangered or threatened and about 65 other species are listed under management categories used by the states. About 30 mussels have been extirpated from the Tennessee River system, of which about a third are considered to be globally extinct. Twenty-eight mussels are under federal protection, and 56 mussels are listed by the states in the watershed. The Tennessee River system also claims two crustaceans and four snails under federal protection.

Endangered species found in the Tennessee River basin include fish, invertebrates, flowers, birds and bats. Endangered fish include Alabama cavefish (Speoplatyihimus poulsoni), Palezone shiner (Notropis albizonatus), Snail darter (Percina tanasi), and the Spotfin chub (Cyprinella monacha). Endangered mussel species include Oyster mussel (Epioblasma capsaeformis), Cumberland monkeyface (Quadrula intermedia), and Dromedary pearlymussel (Dromus dromas). There is also one endangered snail species, Anthony’s Riversnail (Athearnia anthonyi). There are four endangered flowers: Green Pitcher Plant, Harperella, Morefield’s Leather Flower, and Mountain Skullcap. There are two endangered terrestrial species: Red-cockaded Woodpecker and the Gray/Indiana Bat.