Aquaculture is one of the major facets of our economy here on the Eastern Shore.  It is critical that whatever can be done to protect important shellfish habitat areas by providing additional water quality protection be done.  Our waters are under dire threat from the continuing development we are experiencing both from sewage, runoff and damage to salinity.  We have witnessed the same situation in Long Island's Great South Bay with the loss of its bountiful shellfish population.  Hopefully, something has been learned and will be applied to protect our aquaculture here.  It is much more vital to this area.  Please do the right thing by proposing specific legislation to "Save Our Shore".

Aquaculture is a large and rapidly growing industry on the Eastern Shore of Virginia.  Annual revenues from aquaculture on the Eastern Shore are presently estimated to be over 40 million dollars with hundreds of local citizens being employed in this industry.  Northampton county is presently the top clam producing county in the United States.  Oyster aquaculture is beginning to take off with huge increases expected in this segment of the aquaculture industry.  Aquaculture is listed as one of the major engines for economic development in the Northampton County Comprehensive Plan.  And all this economic benefit is being derived from a sustainable industry that acutally improves the quality of our tidal waters.  The one thing that aquaculture absolutely requires is clean water.  Institution of the proposed Aquaculture Enhancement Zone on the Eastern Shore of Virginia will help in the effort to maintain our tidal water quality and allow the economic benefits of aquaculture to be fully realized.

 

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While one could argue the physical need for good water, and the pleasing aesthetics that a healthy environment brings, this opinion briefly focuses upon the economics.

A 40 million dollar plus annual industry that could easily expand needs clean water.( Poultry is somehwere around 85 million and tomatoes 110 million/annum respectively. ) Expansion of the industry, and the multiplier effect upon the local economy is, and could be even more significant. That's more money.

Dirty water impacts the tourism, fishing/hunting and property values. That's less money.

The Shore can grow, and needs to. However, there is some point at which the existing aquifers/groundwater supply  will reach a "sustainable yield" level. I do not know the numbers, but a balance has to be made between residential and commercial/industrial.

Having lived here since '85, I haven't seen industry banging down the doors. The Shore is a pretty place, but it's a tough place for many to make a living.

We need good water for good jobs. That's more money. 

I believe that the Eastern Shore of Virginia is in need of some kind of protection for our waters.  The building is continuing and nothing is in place to protect our shellfish and seafood, much less protect the clean water for future generations to come.  Perhaps one day our grandchildren will be able to say we did something good by protecting our waters, especially on the Eastern Shore.  We will take all the help we can get in that avenue before developers take over and dump their sewer in our waters!!

My family and I have regularly canoed, fished, and surveyed marine life on the seaside of Virginia's Eastern Shore for more than 20 years. In addition, we have brought hundreds of families with young children to these areas to explore, enjoy and learn about our beautiful and bountiful marine environment.

Over the years we have  noticed a deterioration in water quality and the accompanying notices "Area closed to shellfishing."  This is sad and unnecessary, as well as embarassing when you are "showing off" an area to others. Obviously, clean water is the prerequesite for a healthy marine environment, with all the aesthetic and economic benefits that brings.

Please put in place stong regulations to protect our water quality.

Support clean water!