Dr. James K. Nashed
118 Woodfield Lane
Winchester, Virginia  22602
 
I currently live in the Shenandoah valley and enjoy fishing the local streams and rivers, especially the Shenandoah river herself.  In addition, I also fish and boat in the Chesapeake bay.

 
I am strongly in favor of the potential new regulation regarding poultry waste in the state of Virginia.  The goal of House bill 1207 from the year 1999 was to regulate the amount of poultry litter related runoff, but a loophole was left.  This new act will hopefully close that loophole.  The science is very good regarding the negative influence from nitrogen and phosphorous on the aquaculture of streams and rivers.  Since the poultry industry is prominent in the Shenandoah valley, this law has the potential to significantly reduce pollution into the Shenandoah river.  This river and it's tributaries are a major source of revenue to the counties of the valley and the state in general through recreational fishing, boating, and swimming.  In addition the river is a part of the Chesapeake Bay watershed.  President Obama and Governor Kaine have both made the cleanup of the bay a major point in recent speaches.  This law would be one step in that large project, but a step that is relatively easy.
 
The impact on farmers in soil testing, proper fetilization of their fields, and non-polluting storage of their Poultry litter will not impact their yeilds in a major way.  It will increase the time invested in the managment of their fields, but for a much greater good, by reducing pollution in the rivers and streams they live next to.
 
Thank you for your consideration.