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Editorial
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Panel was great
ast week’s water monitoring forum put together by Hunt Harris brought experts with environmental knowledge together for an informative and interesting discussion of the county’s water issues.
Panel members, John McCarthy, county administrator, Jay Gilliam, of the Isaak Walton League; John Rice from Ensat Corp., Karen Rice, of the U.S. Geological Survey, Julie Thomas, EPA air quality coordinator, Tom Blount, of Shenandoah National Park and Chris Miller, executive director of PEC all have different yet relevant areas of expertise concerning the environment.
It was unfortunate that a Department of Environmental Quality representative was unable to attend especially in light of its controversial reorganization.
The DEQ is presently under the gun of the EPA which is demanding to know how it will administer federal pollution programs. Depending on the answers the EPA gets, it could remove the DEQ’s authority to issue permits to industries that discharge waste into the air and water
The DEQ says it won’t happen and everything is under control.
Still, the result is that many laws are not being enforced.
Panel members at the forum addressed these issues and had answers about what to do.
Mr. Harris is to be heartily congratulated for putting together such an outstanding event. He also has a copy of a bi-partisan study that analyzed what needs to be done at the D.E.Q. which Mr. Gilliam left with him if anyone is interested.
There are other upcoming events planned for the remainder of “Water Month” and residents should attend if possible. You’ll find them extremely informative.
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