The Elizabeth River, a highly urbanized 200 square mile watershed, contains one of the most active ports on the Atlantic Coast. The long history of the river has resulted in sediment contamination, wetlands degradation, and poor water quality. In 1994, the community-based non-profit, The Elizabeth River Project (ERP), formed with the goal of restoring the river to the highest practical level through federal, state, industrial, and community partnerships. To effectively focus restoration projects through the urban watershed, ERP coordinated the development of a watershed action plan with 120 stakeholders. Since the development of the plan, partnerships formed by ERP have resulted in more than 11 restored tidal wetlands, 15 sanctuary oyster reefs, and efforts to remediate five contaminated sediments sites. Currently, ERP is focusing restoration efforst on remediation one of the most contaminated sites in the Chesapeake Bay (Money Point) and poor water quality issues in the Lafayette River. The approach at these sites relies on the interface of both pure and applied science to assure the projects are effective and acceptable to all the stakeholders.

Joe Rieger received his Bachelor of Science from Ohio University in 1998 and received a Masters degree in Ecology from Old Dominion University in 2002. Also in 2002, he began working for the non-profit Elizabeth River Project as a staff scientist. The types of projects that he oversees include wetland, oyster, and sediment restoration. His position allows him to work directly with the citizens of Hampton Roads, waterfront industries, federal and state governments, and universities to restore the environment.

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