Cattle having free range into the rivers is a major problem for many reasons. Creating an open source for stormwater runoff, mud and silt is a huge problem. Siltation is a major problem facing the James River now, and it has been for a while.  The tidal James River continues to fill with silt on each flood, and the non tidal James continues feeding it. The non tidal James has accumulated far too much silt, and it covers the majority of the historic spawning grounds for smallmouth bass, red-breasted sunfish, bluegill and other important species of the river. Smallmouth bass numbers in Richmond have dropped dramatically, and this downward trend is working it's way upriver. While there are multiple reasons for their demise, siltation and the loss of spawning habitat is one of the biggest.

Farmers with cattle should be given tax deductions or special funds to create water troughs for their cattle. It is the right thing to do. Every step we can take to protect what is left of the James River's ecology is a step in the right direction.  Thank you.