The General Assembly should provide adequate staffing levels and adequate funding so that DEQ staff can issue timely water withdrawal permits.  Without assurance of certainty, consistency and timeliness for permit issuance, future Middle Peninsula economic development projects that require significant groundwater withdrawal (over 300,000 gallons per month) may experience permit issuance delays upwards or exceeding two years of time.  DEQ must be provided the resources necessary to study the existing groundwater within the Middle Peninsula, develop an approach that protects a limited resource without stifling future economic development initiatives at a time when job creation is most critical to the economic fabric of the region.

By all means, expand the management area to include the Northern Neck.

Dear DEQ,

     I am registering a formal complaint against any new DEQ regulations or expansions of such in or around any part of the Middle Peninsula of Virginia, Northern Neck of Virginia, to include Stafford and Spotsylvania and any other jurisdictions that the current DEQ proposal suggests. NO proper study has been done in regards to Mathews County for example. The DEQ does NOT seem to comprehend the fact that Mathews County is located entirely on an impact crater, and as such is a special exception to general DEQ knowledge. This does NOT inspire confidence in a citizen’s mind as to the basis for any work the DEQ has done since it is incomplete. This incompleteness leaves the entire project under suspicion of failure in completeness. Therefore, any new regulations must NOT move forward. Instead any new regulations suggested by DEQ must be returned until further study is done and ALL knowledge has been gathered and studied.

                                                  Thank you,

                                                   Sharon Slaughter

                                                   PO BX 243

                                                    Cobbs Creek, VA. 23035

It doesn't surprise me that the DEQ would like to expand their power over the far eastern portion of the State and please note that I strongly oppose any form of expansion of their agency or any other agency.  They have not publicly stated any valid reasons as to WHY this overreach is necessary.

The DEQ/EPA cannot justify any of the data they have accumulated; they cannot explain to the public why they are gathering the data; the programs that are already in place are either mismanaged, over budget or ineffective. Just look at the Chesapeake Bay act. It's been over 30 years since they started trying to "save the Bay", and they still cannot explain to the public what has been done has been effective. Heck most of them don't know how to explain what a TMDL is or what this will cost. So far, the money that has been going to that program is a total waste of taxpayer dollars. PLEASE no more power to the DEQ or EPA.

Sincerely, Jean Casanave Gloucester

Sirs,

I am opposed to any expansion of govenmental authority over Mathews wells and their supply.  I am afraid such control will lead to a permitting nightmare for homeowners, contractors, developers and small business.  Could this also lead to the eventual installation of Dominion Power like "smart meters"?  I have read of such proposals in documents distributed by the Middle Peninsula Planning District Commission.  The meters were to be installed on private wells so that water usage could be controlled during droughts and fines levied.  Perhaps, if I am wrong, previous commenter Mr. Lawrence of the MPPDC will correct any mistake.

Thank You for the opportunity to express my opinion.

David C. Davis

Homeowner, Small Businessman and Chairman of the Mathews Republican Committee

I speak for the Spotsylvania Women's Club and many conservatives in Spotsylvana County.

We vehemently oppose any regulations on our wells or ground water in Spotsylvania Virgnia.