The Qpequon Watershed is a volunteer organization dedicated to understanding, protecting and improving Opequon Creek and its environment. 

We feel that any efforts on the Opequon that are beneficial for our watershed would help the health of the Chesapeake Bay as well as our local watershed.  So, while this stream is not part of the Shenandoah River watershed, increases in the level of pollution of the Shenandoah are undermining efforts made by us and other like-minded organizations and individuals whose projects are meant to help the bay as well as our local streams. 

With our rivers in poor condition already, it is especially important to us that you keep to the intent of the existing legislation and rules, rather than changing them to allow for more nitrogen and phosphorus to be deposited.

Please deny Merck and Frederick County Service Authority the ammendment to Water Quality Management Planning that would allow them to increase the load of phosphorus and nitrogen.  Promises to clean up our rivers and the bay in the future are not enough - the future is here and the cleanup needs to move forward.

Sincerely,

Sally Anderson, for the Board of The Opequon Watershed