DIRECTOR'S CORNER
Ensuring exceptional waters today and for the future
Nominated water bodies and their locations:
- North Fork of the Buffalo River, George Washington National Forest, Amherst County
- Whitetop Laurel Creek, Jefferson National Forest, Washington County
- Pedlar River, George Washington National Forest, Amherst County
- Brown Mountain Creek, George Washington National Forest, Amherst County
- Ramseys Draft, George Washington National Forest, Augusta County
- Laurel Fork, George Washington National Forest, Highland County
- Lake Drummond, Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, Chesapeake and Suffolk
- Bottom Creek, Roanoke and Montgomery County
- Little Stony Creek, partly in Jefferson National Forest, Giles County
- Ragged Island Creek, partly in land owned by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, Isle of Wight County
- Doyles River/Jones Falls Run, Shenandoah National Park, Albemarle County
- Big Run, Shenandoah National Park, Rockingham County
- Brokenback Run, Shenandoah National Park, Madison County
- Hughes River, Shenandoah National Park, Madison County
- Rose River, Shenandoah National Park, Madison County
- Whiteoak Canyon Run, Shenandoah National Park, Madison County
- East Branch Naked Creek, Shenandoah National Park, Page County
- East Hawksbill Creek, Shenandoah National Park, Page County
- Jeremys Run, Shenandoah National Park, Page County
- North Fork Thornton River, Shenandoah National Park, Rappahannock County
- Piney River, Shenandoah National Park, Rappahannock County
- Cowpasture River, Alleghany County and Botetourt County
- Simpson Creek, Alleghany County
The Department of Environmental Quality is dedicated to protecting and enhancing Virginia's environment. The Exceptional Waters Program helps achieve these goals by ensuring water quality in Virginia streams, and DEQ continues its strong support for this effort.
The program guarantees exceptional water quality in select streams, in much the same way that parks conserve land. From the beach to the mountains, the state's natural environment is a source of enjoyment for Virginians and is an important part of our heritage.
Industrial, residential and agricultural growth for decades has affected many Virginia streams, reducing the number of high-quality waterways. While growth is necessary for a productive society, it must be balanced with the conservation of natural resources, like clean water, as a part of sound environmental management practices.
The Exceptional Waters Program supports this balance by preserving waterways that are of high quality and are located in areas of outstanding scenic beauty. Streams designated as exceptional waters also may protect excellent habitats for aquatic life or locations with first-rate recreational opportunities. To be considered appropriate for the designation, the streams could support wild and native fish such as trout or rare species of other animals. Suitable recreational activities may include hiking, fishing, camping or rafting.
These requirements originated from guidelines developed by DEQ. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires a section of state water quality regulations to allow for the designation of waterways as outstanding natural resource waters, called exceptional waters in Virginia. The Exceptional Waters Program permanently prohibits new or increased discharges from pipes or other "point sources" into streams, preventing a decline in water quality. Virginia citizens and DEQ can petition the State Water Control Board to adopt waterways for protection under this program.
Environmental organizations and DEQ staff are very active in this process, and in the past two years 23 waterways have been considered. A citizen-nominated section of North Creek in Botetourt County became the first and only exceptional state water in 1997.
DEQ nominated seven water bodies in 2002. They are located within the Jefferson National Forest, the George Washington National Forest, and the Great Dismal Swamp National Wildlife Refuge. Citizen groups also nominated three streams in 2002. These 10 waterways are near the end of the regulatory process, which takes about two years to complete. The final public comment period will conclude for these streams after a public hearing has been held. Then the State Water Control Board will decide whether to adopt the streams as exceptional state waters. The board is made up of citizens that make regulatory decisions for Virginia.
In June 2003, DEQ also nominated 11 stream sections in Shenandoah National Park. The next scheduled meeting of the board is June 17, when members will have the opportunity to decide if the nominations are ready for the last public comment period, followed by a public hearing and a meeting for a final decision. Citizen-led environmental groups also nominated two streams in October 2003, and they are near the beginning of the process.
The 23 nominated waterways represent an energizing start to a renewed interest in the Exceptional Waters Program by the state and environmental groups. DEQ is working to identify future exceptional waters, and the agency encourages citizens to nominate their favorite Virginia waterways.
The Exceptional Waters Program is crucial for ensuring clean streams for the enjoyment of future generations. An exceptional water designation also has additional benefits. It will encourage recreational activities and an appreciation of the outdoors, promote fishing by protecting some of the best fishing locations in the state, and preserve the beautiful vistas observed by Virginians in the past and into the future.