The Potomac Conservancy sent out a letter regarding stormwater runoff regulations for the Potomac River watershed. Stormwater management programs are set to go into effect on July 1, 2014, but legislators in the Virginia General Assembly are being asked to delay implementation. I am urging Virginia readers, along with the Potomac Conservancy, to send a message to your local representatives asking them to not to delay on stormwater management programs. I will post the Potomac Conservancy letter below, which includes a link to contact information for Virginia state legislators.
From the Potomac Conservancy:
No More Delays for Clean Water!
Stormwater from urban and suburban areas (also called polluted runoff), is one of the biggest sources of pollution in the Potomac River. Virginia has now been working for more than ten years on the development of stronger requirements that will better protect our local streams and the Potomac River from polluted runoff. Regulations that are more highly protective of water quality were first authorized by the General Assembly in 2004. Unfortunately, the General Assembly repeatedly delayed the process to establish the regulations-first in 2006, then again in 2009, and again in 2010. Local municipalities were given the task of starting their own stormwater management programs beginning in July 2013, but all localities were granted a year’s extension. The program is now slated to commence on July 1, 2014. Unfortunately, legislators in Richmond are being asked AGAIN to delay, dilute, or create exemptions to the implementation of the stronger stormwater rules that will protect the Potomac River and its Virginia tributaries. The Potomac River and its Virginia tributaries cannot wait any longer. No more delays! Politicians must hold firm to the July 2014 implementation deadline. Contact your legislators today! Let them know that they must not delay or weaken Virginia’s stormwater management program which will ensure safe, healthy, and productive waters for us all. Go here to find out who your legislators are : http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/VGAMain?openform It will ask you to enter your address; once you have it will take you to a page with the contact info for both your State Delegate, and your State Senator. Call them both and leave a simple message:
Your name
Your town (so they know you are a constituent)
Tell them you are calling in support of Virginia’s stormwater management program, and you do not support any bills that delay or weaken the stormwater program
If you want a response in writing, ask for one and leave your entire address
That’s all! Thank you for taking action to help keep our nation’s river clean!
Chesapeake Bay environment and water quality blog 