Big News for the Potomac River

After years of informing, then prodding, and finally suing, Dean Naujoks (Potomac Riverkeeper Network) can declare victory in his fight to clean up the decades-old coal tar pollution in Alexandria.

Last week, the city agreed to halt and remediate the coal tar residue seepage from an old and closed gas works plant that it owns. This unsightly and toxic pollution made the river unhealthy at Founders Park, where many gather for paddling, rowing, and other river recreation.

In addition to stepping up to do the right thing, the city also agreed to fund a freshwater mussel restoration project, a huge boost to PRKN’s 50 Million Mussels Project! Freshwater mussels are filter feeders, so they remove pollution from the river and store it in their bodies. The Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) is one of the few organizations in the watershed which litigates to stop pollution. Check out this article in the WashingtonPost.com.

For more information about PRKN click: potomacriverkeepernetwork.org