Sun 1 Aug 2010
Chesapeake Bay Act and Loudoun Streams
Posted by Nicole under Action Alerts, Habitat, Habitat Restoration
[2] Comments
There’s been a lot of information in the papers on the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act - some of it accurate, some of it not.
The Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act is something we need here in Loudoun and we need it now. Over the coming weeks we’ll be posting more information that you can use.
A great resource available right now is the website for Loudoun’s Clean Streams Coalition, of which Loudoun Wildlife Conservancy is a part. On this website you’ll find information on what the Act means for Loudoun, a history of the Act in Virginia and how it’s been applied in other counties like Fairfax, links to additional resources on streams and buffers, and more.
Additionally, members of our Board of Supervisors and County staff are out and about doing community sessions to hear citizen concerns, debunk myths, and answer citizen questions.
I encourage you to learn more about this Act. Our streams across Loudoun need help. We’ve been monitoring our local streams for 14 years along with other organizations in Loudoun and we have the data to show that they are in trouble. We also know that preserving and restoring the buffers along streams helps improve water quality and the overall health of our environment.
I think that it is every LWC member’s duty to become informed about this proposed ordinance and take action. The Board of Supervisors will re-consider the ordinance in mid-September. Our action is needed now.
My hat is off to Gem Bingol, Cliff Fairweather, Stella Koch and those who teach/practice citizen stream monitoring. There was a troubling piece in the Washington Post Local Opinions Sunday July 25 re: Stonewalling on the Chesapeake re: Gov. Robert McDonnell, by Peter Galuszka pub. @ Bacon’s Rebellion. The gist is McDonnell’s Sec. of natural resources, Doug Domenech, may not be forward thinking as our enlightened citizens and teachers, thus threatening the multi-state pact. Sure hope not!