The Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission, ORSANCO, is the water-pollution control agency for the Ohio River and its tributaries. Member states include Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. The commissioners approved proposed revisions to its Pollution Control Standards for the Ohio River two weeks ago at its 194th meeting.

 Mississippi Queen cruises the Ohio.      Map of Ohio River

     Photo by L. Braff 

After public review, two of the three proposed revisions were adopted. The third one, restoration of criteria for total dissolved solids, was deferred pending additional evaluation and studies. It will be reconsidered at the commission's February 2011 meeting.

Specification of design river flows to be used for human health criteria, and a provision to allow consideration of variances to mixing zone requirements both passed. The second revision has generated considerable opposition from individuals and groups who believe it would result in increased amounts of mercury discharges to the river. Click here for more details about concerns rising from mixing zone requirements.

Last week, ORSANCO announced its 22nd annual River Sweep poster contest. It is open to students in primary and secondary schools, public and private, K-12. It challenges them to design a poster to spread the word about the 2011 River Sweep.

Participating students must live in or attend schools in counties bordering the Ohio River, or counties participating in the River Sweep. Deadline is Dec. 10. All entries must be postmarked on or before that date.

River Sweep takes place to create awareness of water quality problems caused by litter and illegal dumping. Posters submitted for the contest should encourage  volunteer participation. The 22nd annual River Sweep is scheduled for June 18, 2011. River Sweep is a one-day cleanup project for the Ohio River and its tributaries. The Sweep covers nearly 3,000 miles of shoreline from Pittsburgh, Pa., to Cairo, Ill. All trash collected is either recycled or placed in approved landfills. 

Winning poster from 2009. Poster courtesy ORSANCO

The holidays are right around the corner, so it's time to talk about the wonderful gifts available from our own contributors.

 "Nautical Crosswords"

Our own puzzle guru, James Longton, has put out his first book of boating-themed crosswords, called "Nautical Crosswords, Vol I." That's right, 25 beautiful crosswords about the joys and lore of boating.

Truly a wonderful gift for your favorite boater to take along on the next cruise. Click here to order.

Handmade Handbags

Joan Wenner told us about the great handbags and tote bags her friend Kay makes from genuine blue jeans. Kay offers ladies', teens' and little-girl bags.

To order, call (276) 632-7380, which is the number for Kay's Shop at 20 Walnut St, Martinsville, Va. 24112. Or, you can e-mail Ms. Wenner.

 Cartoon Portrait

 Commission a Cartoon Portrait (caricature) by our art director, Jack Cassady. He can do a cartoon version of your favorite captain, first, mate, crewmembers or ship's pets from photographs. Drawings are color or grayscale on a sheet measuring 9 by 12 inches, suitable for framing. Contact Cassady and put "Cartoon Portrait" in the subject heading. Here he is with his own pets.

Terrific Young Person's Book

Turn right away to page 31, with its diagram of yes, an anti-pirate potato cannon made of PVC pipe. It comes right after the instructions explaining how to play a bosun's pipe.

            It's page after page of cool nautical stuff. Along with your memories about say, binoculars or water skis, there isn't a better way to convey knowledge of waterfront skills with love for them. Click here to order. (Oh heck, order one for yourself. You know you want to.)

Our 2011 Calendar
 

The Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation (RBFF) recently concluded a survey titled "Quantitative Study of Consumer Attitudes." It showed that boaters have shifted their buying habits.

"People are going to continue to buy boats, but more cautiously, without applying for as much financing," RBFF president and CEO Frank Peterson said in a statement.

Nearly half of the consumers polled said they are still in the market for a boat in the next three years. Nevertheless, they are looking for ways to make the boating less costly, such as making repairs themselves.

RBFF and BrandSpark International conducted the study. It provides detailed information about 1,885 boatowners and 977 non-boatowners aged 18 to 69.

The Wharf Foreclosed

The Mobile, Ala., Press-Register noted that The Wharf development, in Orange Beach, Ala., has been foreclosed. It opened in May 2006. Elliot Free reviewed the condominium-amphitheater-marina complex in July 0f 2008.

Birmingham-based Regions Bank seized 80 percent of The Wharf's acreage for auction. The marina included 190 slips. AIG Baker Shopping Center Properties originally projected building about 1,000 condos with more than a million square feet of retail space, but adverse economic conditions meant that only the first phase was actually completed. For more details, click here.

Boats in Wales

Elliot Free went to Wales recently, and what did he find? Boats.

He writes, "Wales was the prettiest country that I have visited--everything so lush and green because it receives generous rainfall. Very friendly people and 12 million sheep."

"They have 40-50 foot tides! The sailboats have dual keels so that they remain upright when no water is under the keel at low tide."