I am writing this letter to express my support for the new stormwater regulations that the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) is proposing. I realize that there are many people in the development industry that oppose these new regulations, largely because they are worried about the cost.

While the new standards will increase the cost of stormwater management, there is more stormwater to manage. I know that both agriculture and industrial users also contribute to the pollutant levels, and that all three sources need to be controlled. It is certainly true that agriculture has not done enough to mitigate its own effects, but stormwater needs to be addressed now, as well.

I applaud DCR for their efforts to address these problems, and while their solution isn’t perfect, it is certainly a step in the right direction. I would also urge DCR to stay current in this legislation and continue to offer new solutions to stormwater problems through their education and outreach efforts.

Again, I want to register my support for these new regulations, and I thank DCR for going through the massive effort of writing them.

Sincerely yours,

George L. Ohrstrom, II