The Shadow
COVINGTON, Va. (Nov. 14, 2024) — Reports of fish either dead or in distress along the Jackson River near the Pool in Covington have raised alarms among environmentalists and locals, with initial indications pointing to a possible chemical spill from the Smurfit-WestRock mill.
Bill Wilson of the Jackson River Preservation Association (JRPA) was on the scene Monday to investigate the troubling situation. “It’s clear something is wrong,” Wilson stated. “I’ve spoken with Jason Hill at the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), and he confirmed the mill reported a malfunction. They claimed the issue was either being corrected or had already been addressed, but it’s unclear which.”
Longtime river visitor Kevin Haley described the concerning scene. “I come down here every day to fish, and I noticed trout and bass struggling to breathe,” Haley said. “When I walked along the shoreline, I saw fish on their sides, barely hanging on. I’ve been here almost daily for two years and never seen anything like this before. It’s heartbreaking.”
The Jackson River has faced pollution concerns from the Mill in the past. However, this latest incident highlights ongoing challenges with industrial operations and environmental protections. Local advocates, including the JRPA, are calling for more transparency and stricter oversight to prevent similar occurrences.
Rebecca Johnson, Communications Manager for Smurfit-WestRock released a statement to the Virginian Review, “We are aware of reported distressed fish in the Jackson River. We do not have sufficient information to comment on the potential cause. The Covington mill has not experienced any permit violations. We are actively investigating this matter in cooperation with the Virginia Departments of Environmental Quality and Wildlife Resources.”
The DEQ is expected to conduct further investigations to determine the cause of the fish distress and assess the potential environmental impact.
Residents are encouraged to avoid fishing or using the river near the Pool area until more information becomes available.
