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BOSTON/LONGLEA

There have been no new filings by Opus Dei/Wyoming Homes, for the Longlea property near Boston. If, as anticipated, they keep a portion for their continued use, it is expected they will eventually bring forward a plan somewhat less than the maximum density of homes allowed.

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TIER III

Background. Several years ago the Federal Government established a program known as Exceptional Waters as an adjunct to its 30-year old Clean Water Act. In addition to its primary role in issuing NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permits to land developers, it authorizes the Environmental Protection Agency to categorize and protect exceptional waters as “Tier III”. Very few waters are still clean enough to qualify, but those that do may reap significant economic assistance and benefits for their home municipalities. Culpeper’s Hazel River is high on the list for such designation and was nominated by local residents.

Contrary to early fears, Tier III status does virtually nothing to prevent current farming use of adjacent lands. As is frequently stated, it is OK for cows to use the river along with boaters and fishermen. Forestry practices (logging, well-controlled burns), acid stream mitigation by the Game & Inland Fisheries, instream watering of livestock, water withdrawal for irrigation, and temporary disturbance for bridge repair, etc. are all allowed. What is not allowed is major new development with wastewater discharge directly into the river.

The Culpeper Supervisors have endorsed the general concept of Tier III status for the Hazel, although technicians discovered that portions of the river have recently deteriorated to marginal status. In Rappahannock County, the river was fully acceptable, but its Supervisors did not support the nomination fearing the intrusion of unwelcome government control. As noted above, with the exception of large-scale development and wastewater discharge directly into the river, Government control is not a concern for rivers with Tier III status.

CCC strongly endorses Tier III designation for the Hazel. It is about as enviable a program as a County could want. Once the facts are known and understood, it would be opposed only by those interests which wish to make huge personal profits in new housing projects on the river.

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MOUNT DUMPLING DEVELOPMENT

This project has conceded that its water and wastewater treatment must be under full County control; and is on hold pending those plans.

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FOR TOWN PROJECTS, SEE PAGE 3

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