Critical Developments in Our Investigation of Dominion's Possum Point Coal Ash Ponds
 Despite intense public opposition, Virginia's State Water Control Board approved an extremely lax waste water permit that would allow Dominion to start dewatering its coal ash ponds into Quantico Creek near the Potomac River. After this approval, Dominion admitted to a secret dumping of 27.5 million gallons of untreated coal ash water into Quantico Creek in May 2015. When asked last year, DEQ Director David Paylor said there had been no discharge into state waters. Potomac Riverkeeper Network filed an appeal of the permit and is seeking an EPA investigation into the May 2015 discharge. Now, in a report by WAMU reporter Patrick Madden, it has been revealed that Director Paylor was flown to the Masters golf tournament and treated to a $1200 bar tab by Dominion in 2013. This kind of "pay to play" junket is now illegal in Virginia, for obvious reasons. Click on the Take Action button and send a letter to the Attorney General asking him to revoke the permit and seek an investigation into Dominion's relationship with DEQ!
Speaking of Dominion... There Was an Oil Spill on the Potomac River
Early in February, Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks received reports of an oil spill on the Potomac, starting at Roaches Run Waterfowl Sanctuary near Alexandria and drifting downstream about 8 miles. Dean was on site for several days documenting the oil spill and demanding answers. On February 11, the US Coast Guard confirmed that the oil was from a 13,000 gallon oil spill on January 24 at a Dominion transformer station in Crystal City. This followed repeated denials from Dominion that it was responsible. The spill fouled the shoreline and marsh in Roaches Run and killed dozens of geese. Potomac Riverkeeper Network is pushing to make sure that Dominion is held accountable and pays for full cleanup of Roaches Run.
READ MORE & VIEW PHOTOS & VIDEOS
Join Potomac Riverkeeper at Coal Ash Stories
 Join Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks for two screenings of Coal Ash Stories, a series of short films and a call to action. This is a critical time to learn about coal ash in your community. PRKN opposes Dominion's plan, supported by DEQ, to "cap-in-place" the massive coal ash pit at Possum Point, which is known to have leaked toxic metals into groundwater and Quantico Creek for over thirty years.
Alexandria: Thursday, March 31, 7pm, Alexandria Library Beatley Branch, 5005 Duke Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22304
Dumfries: Tuesday, April 5, 7pm, Dumfries Triangle Rescue Squad, 3800 Graham Park Road, Dumfries, Virginia 22026
Meet Upper Potomac Riverkeeper at Potomac by Air Film & Talk
 On Thursday, March 31st, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper Brent Walls is hosting a showing of the film: Potomac by Air, Our Nation's River. Come see the beautiful photography and filming of the Potomac River from its headwaters to the Chesapeake Bay. Explore the historical and scenic aspects of what makes the Potomac River so grand. Following the film, Brent will give a short talk about his work and answer your questions. Join him at the Martinsburg Library, Main floor, 101 West King Street, from 6:30 to 8pm on March 31st.
Meet Shenandoah Riverkeeper at Trout Unlimited Meeting
Shenandoah Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf is speaking to the Northern Virginia Chapter of Trout Unlimited on Thursday, April 7 at 7:30pm. He will talk about the clean water challenges in the Shenandoah River and his work protecting the public's right to clean water. Location: Vienna Firehouse, 400 Center St S, Vienna, VA 22180.
Come Celebrate Our Nation's River
 FRIDAY, MAY 13, 2016 -- 6:30PM - 9:30PM
Join us aboard the Cherry Blossom, a 19th century Victorian riverboat replica. Come spend time with your Riverkeepers, bid on live-auction items, savor an evening cruise down the river and dance to music by The Grandsons. Celebrate our Protectors of the Potomac award winners Congressman Gerry Connolly and Virginia State Senator Scott Surovell, and our Volunteer of the Year Ruth Prodan. Read about them here.
This event would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors, including Clyde's Restaurant Group and the Potomac Riverboat Company. We invite you to become sponsor, too!
Thank you, Sarah. And Welcome Maria & Emily
 Earlier this year, we said goodbye to Sarah Sorenson, our hardworking and diligent Director of Development & Operations. Sarah joined our staff in 2011 and quickly became indispensible to the operations of our organization. We wish her all the best as she takes a well deserved break to travel before setting off on her next endeavor. Whereever she lands next, we know they will be very lucky to have her on staff.
We are very fortunate to have Maria Barry join our staff as our new Diretor of Development and Emily Rainone as our new Operations Manager & Bookkeeper.
Get Involved!
Come work for us! Help with paddle trips as our Events Coordinator Intern!
Starting Monday, April 4, join Shenandoah Riverkeeper Mark Frondorf on WZRV 95.3 The River, every Monday and Friday at 8:40am
Our Members are Everything
Thank you, thank you, thank you! We can't thank you enough for being members of Potomac Riverkeeper Network. Our Riverkeepers rely on your support to do their jobs of taking on major polluters, monitoring the rivers and providing opportunities to enjoy our beautiful waterways.
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