by Sarah Gannon, October 2005

	The Hazel River in Fall. Photo courtesy Sally Mello.

The Hazel River in Rappahannock and Culpeper Counties has been nominated for designation as an "Exceptional State Water," also known as Tier III classification. The nomination of the Hazel presents a rare opportunity to honor and protect an outstanding, scenic river that runs free and clean through an unspoiled part of two beautiful Virginia counties, from the Blue Ridge to the Piedmont. Citizens who own property or live in the county have a special role to play in the decision-making process that potentially leads to ensuring that the Hazel remains a special, undiminished resource of exceptional quality, serenity, and beauty.

The purpose of Tier III status is to maintain the current quality of pristine waterways and to protect them as a resource for the future. When a river is awarded Tier III status, this means:

• There can be no new or increased discharge of sewage or industrial wastes into the waterway.
• Where discharges currently exist from sewage treatment plants and industries, they will be allowed to remain, but not increased.

At the same time, Tier III status:

• Does not require landowners along the river to grant public access to the water.
• Does not require the implementation of best management practices for farmers utilizing land along the river for agriculture (beyond what is already required by state law).
• Does not affect the amount of water withdrawn for agricultural purposes.

A Tier III designation for the Hazel is possible only with citizen support. For the Hazel River, there will be public participation at the State and local level through a petition period, with the opportunity for public comment. Landowners having property directly along the Hazel River may share their opinions about this designation with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) until December 19. All other citizens (note: residency in Rappahannock or Culpeper Counties is not a requirement in order to comment) may submit comments to DEQ starting November 28 until December 19.

However, your participation is needed now. We sincerely hope that you will join with us in supporting this effort to preserve the Hazel River and the local heritage that the River represents. We urge you to contact your local supervisor and ask him to support the Tier III designation for the Hazel. It is vital that you do this now in order to shape the public position your supervisor will take on the issue. For contact information for Rappahannock County Supervisors, click here, and for Culpeper County Supervisors, click here.

If you own land along the Hazel River, please send your comments to DEQ now. All other citizens are asked to hold their comments until November 28. DEQ will not consider comments received in advance of the designated time frame. Comments can be mailed, emailed, or faxed to:

Mr. David C. Whitehurst
Department of Environmental Quality
P.O. Box 10009
Richmond, Virginia 23240
e-mail: dcwhitehurst@deq.virginia.gov
fax number: 804-698-4116

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