I live near the Rappahannock.  Every weekend, I see 100s of families fishing, swimming, kayaking and tubing on just a small section of the river.  This kind of use is multiplied a thousand times over when you add in all our rivers and the Bay.  Virginians drink from rivers and the Bay.  We play in them and use our rivers for livelihood through fishing, recreation and crab harvest.  We’ve already seen the oyster industry fail!  Protect Virginian's economy and quality of life by passing the proposed regulations in their current form. 

Some say the regulations are too expensive to comply.  Untrue.  It may be more expensive, but costs are similar to current requirements that already exist in some localities.  Stafford County and the City of Fredericksburg near the Rappahannock have shown that low impact development works.  The homebuilders still make a profit.

Some say the economic recession has hit the development industry too hard and now is not the time for new regulations.  Untrue.  The new regulations will not go into effect for 2-3 years from now.  We should not sacrifice future clean water based on current economic conditions.  Now is not the time to turn our backs on the health and well being of future generations.   

Some say the 0.28 P criteria is not sound.  Untrue.  This number is based on meeting Virginia’s water quality standards for the Bay and its tributaries using the science of the Chesapeake Bay cleanup effort, which is considered the best in the world. 

I want you to take strong action to control runoff from development which is hurting Virginia fisheries and our quality of life.  The proposed regulations should be passed in their current form.  Reject the homebuilders association’s proposal and listen to Virginia's scientists and citizens.