I fully support the efforts of the the Shenandoah and Potomac Riverkeepers and other citizen groups. I fully support the current efforts of these riverkeepers and groups in their call for improvements in the General Construction Permit process. It is critical that SWPPPs are made available to the public for every construction site in Virigia. There is no reason why these improvements should not be fully implemented.
The argument that the efforts to improve the quality of our waterways is an added burden to developers and/or land owners is a smoke screen. What we do on any one piece of the river impacts every inch of the river and its environment for its full length. I am a fisherman, but I am a father and a grandfather; I want my children and their children to have the resources and beauty that I have had throughout my life. I heartily support the Shenandoah Riverkeeper and Potomac Riverkeeper’s efforts to change the Construction General Permit so that Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs) are made available to the public for every construction site in Virginia. The Commonwealth is the protector of our resouces and has the resposibility of ensuring that they will remain healthy for our children and our children's children. The Commonwealth must take all neccessary steps to protect and repair our rivers and streams. This should emphasize protection of waterways already designated as impaired from additional damage which would be caused by sediment running off construction sites.