Conservation Program Updates, Fall 2005

Conservation Easements: The number of acres in conservation easement in Rappahannock County continues to grow. As of August 15, the total acreage in easement was 20,973, or 15.4 percent of all private land in the county. The latest addition, on May 18, is the Rucker Farm, owned by Lindsay and Heidi Eastham. The farm is 327 acres, with a long frontage on the Jordan River.

Tier III Designation of Hazel River: The Hazel River, which flows through Rappahannock and Culpeper counties, qualifies for a Tier III designation as an Exceptional State Water. Tier III prohibits any activity that would degrade an "outstanding water"—a water of exceptional ecological or recreational significance. Once accepted by the Virginia State Water Control Board, this designation would prevent, among other things, any sewage effluent from entering the river. Very few waters qualify for Tier III designation, but those that do can get significant economic assistance and benefits for the municipalities in which they are located. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality will be examining the Hazel this summer. The river is high on the list and has been renominated by Culpeper resident Sally Mello. RLEP will be supporting the effort in Rappahannock and will keep members informed as this issue progresses.

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