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The overall grade of the 2025 State of the James has improved to a B with a score of 68% from its failing health decades ago. Although the pace of progress has slowed, a grade-A James River is possible if we keep up our collective efforts and continue to address key issues together. However, the 2023 American shad stock assessment by the Virginia Institute of Marine Science found that populations of American shad in the James are at an all-time low. Given the dire situation, JRA fought for funding to develop an emergency recovery plan that identified immediate actions that could be taken to improve the American shad fishery in the James River. This plan will be delivered to Virginia Legislators in the fall of 2023 with more actions to follow, but it will take a long-term and sustained effort to bring American shad in the James River back from the brink of collapse.
Advocacy News
Richmond’s Combined Sewer System
During his first campaign for Mayor of the City of Richmond, Levar Stoney stated, “It is 2016, not 1816. We should not be worried about clean water for our citizens. This needs to be a public health and an environmental priority.” Mayor Stoney’s call-to-action refers...
Mayor Stoney’s Proposed Budget Funds Improvements to Richmond’s Combined Sewer System and Wastewater Treatment Plant
Since becoming Mayor of the City of Richmond in 2017, Levar Stoney and his administration have been committed to improving the health of the James River by funding projects that properly manage stormwater and wastewater. Mayor Stoney’s Proposed Capital Improvement...
