Hello Everyone - Here is an update from the Chesapeake Conservancy concerning
their response to the Fones Cliffs violations by Virginia True. (see forwarded
email.)
On a personal note, I had the opportunity to motor up the Rappahannock with
Bill Portlock & Teachers on the Bay, a few weeks ago, and I saw the damage
first hand. A few people have pooh-pooh'ed the shore-line collapse saying it
would have happened anyway. But you can see, even from the water, how close the
clear-cut is to the shore-line. The collapsed shore-line is significant, having
taken with it many mature hardwoods that eagles use for nesting. It also adds
to the silt and future run-off into the Rappahannock. This irresponsible
treatment of property that is so close to the Rappahannock deserves more
punishment than DEQ is considering, at this time.
Please sign the petition. There is a link below. Better yet, write your own
email &/or letter to DEQ and let them know what you think. They are actually
soliciting public comment, so GO FOR IT! This is the COMMONWEALTH of Virginia.
Let's urge DEQ to hold this corporation accountable for their actions and
inactions.
In addition, as president, I will be writing a letter on behalf of the Northern
Neck Audubon Society. If you've made it this far, thanks for reading, and I
hope you'll get involved.
Melissa Gross
________________________________
From: Joseph McCauley <jmccauley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Wednesday, July 25, 2018 9:58 AM
To: Anne Richardson; Leighton Powell; Elizabeth Kostelny; RWR Friends; Melissa
Gross; Hill Wellford; Peggy Sanner; Kathleen Harrigan
Cc: Joel Dunn; Susan Shingledecker; Jody Couser
Subject: Fones Cliffs and DEQ
Dear Friends,
Thank you for signing on to the letter sent to the Virginia Department of
Environmental Quality regarding the ongoing environmental degradation occurring
at Fones Cliffs along the Rappahannock River. We sent a strong message to DEQ
that we are concerned and we are watching.
You may be aware that DEQ has issued a draft consent order regarding the
violations by the Virginia True Corporation for a 30-day public review and
comment period. Comments are due by August 9, 2018 (see below).
Please make your memberships aware of this opportunity to comment. I know some
of you are preparing comment letters from your organizations, as is Chesapeake
Conservancy. In our letter we will emphasize:
* the unique cultural, historic, and natural resource values of Fones Cliffs;
* the slow reaction by Virginia True to respond to repeated violations;
* the fine amount is insufficient to deter a well-financed corporation from
further violations, based on their response to the initial violations;
* replanting trees over the entire forested area that was illegally cleared
must be part of the remediation plan; and
* if this ill-conceived project moves forward, undisturbed forested setbacks
must be required to reduce erosion, protect bald eagle habitat, and protect
undocumented archeological resources.
Chesapeake Conservancy still has our petition open
(http://chesapeakeconservancy.org/fones-cliffs-petition-2/) and we will add the
final tally to our comment letter.
Fones Cliffs Petition 2 - Chesapeake
Conservancy<http://chesapeakeconservancy.org/fones-cliffs-petition-2/>
chesapeakeconservancy.org
Speak Up for the Eagles at Fones Cliffs! Join Us in Asking Virginia DEQ to Hold
Violators Responsible for Cliff Degradation
Thank you again for your support for Fones Cliffs conservation.
Joe
Opportunity for Public Comment for Proposed Special Order By Consent for
Violations at Virginia True Golf Course
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Greg Bilyeu
July 3, 2018
(804)698-4107
Gregory.Bilyeu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Gregory.Bilyeu@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
RICHMOND, VA. - The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has
announced the opportunity for public comment on a Proposed Special Order By
Consent for violations at the Virginia True Golf Course in Richmond County,
Va., near Fones Cliffs on the Rappahannock River. The proposed Special Order by
Consent addresses violations involving land-disturbing activity without
required approvals and plans, installation of proper controls, and
stabilization measures.
The proposed consent order includes a civil charge of $42,000. The proposed
civil charge is developed in accordance with established DEQ guidance that
takes into account the type and severity of the violation. The proposed consent
order also includes corrective action including weekly reporting of site
activities to DEQ to ensure compliance.
"DEQ will be monitoring the required compliance at the Virginia True Golf
Course site closely and any identified violations will be addressed
expeditiously and met with full enforcement authority by the agency, including
engagement with the Attorney General's Office," said DEQ Director David Paylor.
Comments will be accepted from July 9, to August 9, 2018 on the proposed
Special Order by Consent. Comments can be submitted to Kristen Sadtler at
Kristen.Sadtler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:Kristen.Sadtler@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>. All
comments will be considered prior to presenting a final recommended enforcement
action to the State Water Control Board. The public notice and draft can be
found at
https://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/Enforcement/PublicNotices.aspx.
--
Joseph F. McCauley
Chesapeake Fellow
Chesapeake Conservancy
8484 McClellan Rd.
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Annapolis Office: (443) 261-2388<tel:%28443%29%20261-2388>
Cell: (804) 514-5136
<tel:%28443%29%20703-8678>
jmccauley@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx<mailto:jcouser@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
www.chesapeakeconservancy.org<http://www.chesapeakeconservancy.org/>
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