It came after a series of events that created much more awareness of the New River, and how polluted it was. (Link to next page) It also came after the Mayor and City Council then in office, said they had a moral responsibility to help clean up the Bay. Using oysters, constructed wetlands, aeration and community awareness, the Bay is much cleaner now that it was. New life has returned, scientists believe it is sustainable, but warn more work is to be done. That work is in the form of more bioremediation, continued aeration until the system is sustainable, more habitat construction and mitigation of stormwater that flows into the Bay. That work continues with the City having adopted the employment of two persons who had been funded entirely by a grant program, and the continuation of a commitment, a moral commitment, to help restore habitat in the City. The City is moving to help the Chaney Creek watershed now. With a grant from the NOAA Community Habitat Restoration Program, new wetlands will be restored in that area, submerged aquatic vegetation will be planted and hundreds of volunteers will help. Where after that? The City hopes that the increased awareness of habitat protection and stormwater consequences will help change habits and inspire other areas for remediation.
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