Virginia added approximately 840 miles of streams and 2 square miles of estuaries to its list of impaired waters in 2012, according to the state’s latest water quality report, released by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Virginia must develop more than 1,000 cleanup plans to restore the health of these and other polluted waterways.

About 260 miles of streams were removed from the list after achieving water quality standards, while another 230 stream miles were partially delisted.

In total, about 13,140 miles of streams and 2,130 square miles of estuaries are listed as “impaired,” which means they do not support aquatic life, fish and shellfish consumption, swimming, wildlife and/or public water supplies. Approximately 5,350 miles of streams and 140 square miles of estuaries are considered in good health.

Every two years, Virginia monitors about one-third of its watersheds on a rotating basis. The state completes a full monitoring cycle every six years. Since 2002, Virginia DEQ has assessed 98 percent of the state’s watersheds.

The full water quality report is available on Virginia DEQ’s website. The public is invited to comment on the report until April 27. Virginia DEQ will host a webinar summarizing the report’s results on April 9 from 10 to noon.

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George M Surber Jr

Concern over cows polluting streams that feed our drinking water and Smith Mountain Lake. I'm aware that cows should not be using a stream for drinking water. I'm also aware that the farmers should be fencing their cows off the streams. I'm aware that Virginia has offered to pay 100% for fencing to keep cows away from stream. And they now will pay 80% on fencing. But the farmers are just ignoring this problem and the cows continue polluting our streams, lakes etc.

I live in Bedford County, Virginia and the farmers are terrible for polluting streams that flow into the lakes etc. Smith Mountain Lake is constantly complaining of Ecoli in the water. Well, guess where it's coming from. These waters are used for recreation, swimming. eating the fish out of, etc. etc. And Virginia is knowingly letting the farmers continue to destroy our waters.

And the farmers aren't paying any taxes etc. to the state. Using farm use tags, getting government money, using land use to keep from paying to state, federal etc. While the rest of the people are supporting them.

I would like to have a representative see what's really going on in Bedford County. Call me 540-420-0975

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