I write in support of Petition #68 regarding the Prevention of Degradation of Water Quality on the Eastern Shore as a Result of large Scale Agricultural Operations.
As an owner of seaside property I can personally attest to the validity of the claims made in the petition. My desire is that large scale plasti-culture tomato growers be encouraged to utilize irrigation and/or retention ponds to mitigate what I know to be a very serious problem leading to further degradation of our streams and creeks. In non-growing seasons, my hope would be that rainfall would be allowed to remain in the fields to recharge our aquifer.
Agriculture is a major part of our economy and in no way do I wish their operations to be eliminated or made so expensive they cannot continue to produce. I do believe there are solutions which can be implemented at reasonable cost.
I hope the DEQ will consider this matter carefully and implement a solution that will benefit the entire community.
