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Tier III- Yes and No
Ideally, every river should be designated as Tier III: a ; waterway having “an exceptional environmental setting and : either an exceptional aquatic community or recreational opportunities.” A Tier III designation would mean that no additional discharges of sewage effluent could be placed in the designated waterway.
Two portions of the Rappahannock River have previously been proposed for Tier III.
This week the Hazel River was proposed for Tier III.
The Rappahannock, particularly the upper portion from the source near Chester Gap to Carter’s Run appears to be an ideal candidate. It can be preserved in its present pristine state with no impact on future development in adjoining Rappahannock and Fauquier counties. Getting approval as Tier III should be almost automatic; “a piece of cake,” in the words of Robert Dennis, president of the Piedmont Environmental Council.
Designation of the lower portion of the Rappahannock proposed for Tier III from Kelly’s Ford almost to Fredericksburg, is facing possible oppposition from the more urbanized counties to the south of Rappahannock. These counties fear that such a designation would stifle development forever.
Tier III designation of the Hazel River faces even tougher sledding in Culpeper County because it flows virtually through the middle of that county after it leaves Rappahannock. In particular, it threatens the plans of the powerful American Security Council Foundation to include a Congressional conference center and retirement community.
If the two proposed sectons of the Rappahannock River and the Hazel River are all designated Tier III, future development in Culpeper County will be severly restricted. Trying to push all three Tier III designations may result in such a backslash of reaction that nothing gets designated.
A compromise may be possible. Here is what we suggest.
1. Designate both sections of the Rappahano^k River for Tier III designation as originally proposed.
2. Change the proposal for Tier III designation of the Hazel River to include only that portion of the river within Rappahannock County.
A compromise by its nature is never 100 percent satisfactory to all, but we think this one comes close.
It would be nice, but unlikely, if all three portions of the Rappahannock and Hazel rivers could be Tier III. But a piece of the cake is better than no cake at all.
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