Department of Conservation and Recreation
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Department of Conservation and Recreation
Media inquiries: Please contact Dave Neudeck, dave.neudeck@dcr.virginia.gov, 804-786-5053.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: October 01, 2008
Contact:
Oct. 15 meeting to discuss water quality plans for Appomattox and Charlotte county streams
(RICHMOND) – A public input meeting to discuss a water quality improvement plan for more than 30 miles of Appomattox and Charlotte county stream segments on the state “dirty waters” list will be held in Charlotte Courthouse, Wednesday, Oct. 15 at the county administration office building, 250 LeGrande Avenue, Suite A. The meeting starts at 7 p.m.
Portions of Cub Creek, Turnip Creek, Buffalo Creek and an unnamed Buffalo Creek tributary are on Virginia’s list of impaired or “dirty waters” because they violate the state’s water quality standard for bacteria. Levels of bacteria in these stream segments could lead to increased risk of illness for people who come in contact with the streams’ waters. Bacteria sources have been identified as septic systems, direct discharges of human waste, pet waste and agricultural practices in the area. All of the streams flow into the Roanoke River.
Representatives from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Old Dominion Resource Conservation and Development Council and Southside Soil and Water Conservation District will be on hand to outline efforts to develop a bacteria reduction plan for the stream segments. Comment and input is sought from local residents and stakeholders. In addition to the meeting a 30-day comment period also begins Oct. 15.
The bacteria reduction, or implementation, plan follows a Total Maximum Daily Load study approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in June 2006. The TMDL study identified the sources of bacteria in the impaired watersheds.
The implementation plan will outline corrective actions needed to reduce the sources of bacteria, their associated costs and benefits, along with measurable goals and an implementation timeline.
Corrective actions may include replacing failing septic systems, removing direct discharges of human waste to streams, septic system pump-outs and a pet waste disposal and education program. Corrective actions for agricultural bacteria sources can include streamside livestock exclusion fencing, pasture management and establishing streamside buffers on cropland.
Participating in developing the implementation plan is an opportunity for local residents to preserve water resources, increase farm production and increase property values in the community.
For more information on the meeting or public comment process contact Ram Gupta, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, at (804) 371-0991 or Ram.Gupta@dcr.virginia.gov.
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