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riverfront land owners, and others who use the river for recreation; there is still time and it is very important that any citizen who wishes to make their feelings known, write to the Water Control Board.
Research on the river has brought to light that The Hazel has already been identified as meeting the minimum criteria for potential inclusion into the National Wild and Scienic Rivers System, by the Department of the Interior. This inclusion of the Hazel on the updated Nationwide Rivers Inventory affords the river an extra measure of protection, in that there are procedures to get consultation on any adverse effects the river might undergo. I mention this to point out that it is not only the Tier III nominating group of citizens that has found the Hazel to be a wonderful resource.
What does Tier III mean to the average citizen and land owner along it’s banks? It means that the Hazel will flow on as it has in ages past, as a wonderful wildlife habitat and recreational resource.
Land owners will be able to build on their land, however they will not be able to put a sewer treatment plant on the river. There is a formula for effluent ot be introduced through a tributary stream with the proper mixing zone for water aeration.
Water may be withdrawn in the future for a municipal water supply. This measure of protection for this vital resource will also show our respect for our neighbors downstream who drink this water. Growth will come to our area and clean water will be our ultimate need to sustain quality in life.
Now that all the data is gathered and sent in for the nomination it is still only a nomination. The staff of the Water Control Board then reviews that data and makes a recommendation to the Water Control Board. If they agree that is qualifies for Tier III status it goes to public hearing. There are all sorts of serious reviews, and hurdles to get through and in the end local governments can have the final say, by proving economic hardship.
This Tier III programs is not about stopping growth, but rather, about saving expceptional environmental and recreational resources.
We should have growth in the right places and at a pace that will preserve our resources such as our rivers.
In Rappahannock County the Hazel comes off Hazel Mountain and drains a large area of the Shenandoah National Park. It flows under State Scenic Byway, Route 231, and runs through woods and farmland.
It’s banks and waters support all kinds of plant and animal life. The Hazel River runs through agriculturally zoned land and the ties between our clear), rivers and our farmland are so critical to our future. There are a few things we can be sure of in the future and one is that there will be less prime farmland, and little pristine water, and more people needing both.
In the next few months the Department of Environmental Quality will be reviewing the Hazel River nomination. If you believe that a Tier III river flowing through our counties will greatly enhance our way of life, protect a resource for our children’s future, and show our
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