VIRGINIA'S HAZEL RIVER

Citizen participation is critical!
(from "Inside RLEP," RLEP News, Fall 2005 Special)

by Paul Farmer, President

	Fall beauty. Photo courtesy Sally Mello.

Tier III classification for the Hazel River depends on citizen nomination and participation every step of the way. The Virginia DEQ is evaluating the river's nomination on the basis of its merits, county input, and citizen comment. Riparian landowners—those with riverfront property in either county—have been asked by DEQ's State Water Control Board to give their views on the proposed Tier III designation.

Now all citizens of the two counties have the opportunity to formally express their views to the SWCB (as of November 28) and to their respective boards of supervisors (anytime). The board of supervisors of each county also has until December 19, the close of DEQ's public comment period, to indicate whether Tier III classification of the Hazel is consistent with the county comprehensive plan.

I hope that you agree that the Hazel River deserves protection under the program. More important, I hope you are convinced that you must help if we are going to be successful.

You can do several things that will make a huge difference:

• Send a letter or e-mail stating your support for Tier III classification of the Hazel. Your comments must be received by DEQ between November 28 and December 19. Write, e-mail, or send a fax to:

  David C. Whitehurst
  Department of Enviromental Quality
  P.O. Box 10009
  Richmond, VA 23240
  E-mail: dcwhitehurst@deq.virginia.gov
  Fax: 804: 698-4116

• Call your county supervisor and ask for his support of Tier III designation of the Hazel. (Click here for Rappahannock County government contact information.)
• Attend the Rappahannock County Board of Supervisors' meeting on December 5 and speak in favor of the Hazel River Tier III designation during the public comment period.
• Write a check to RLEP—Hazel River Task Force and mail it today.

  RLEP HRTF
  P.O. Box 94
  Washington, VA 22747

I cannot overemphasize how important each of these actions are. Please help. And visit this website often for the latest on the effort to gain Tier III designation and protection of the Hazel River.

Thank you and thanks to the other participants in the Hazel River Task Force—Concerned Culpeper Citizens Inc., Piedmont Environmental Council, RappFLOW, and especially Sally Mello.

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