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Dec. 29, 2023 Editor, The News-Gazette: Rockbridge area residents and visitors expressed deep concern over the heavy sediment and bright green algae seen in the Maury River throughout August 2023. These environmental threats to life in and along the river resulted from the extended, high-volume release of water from Lake Merriweather. The release was undertaken in anticipation of dredging activity projected for the fall of 2023.
The poor water quality was spotlighted in the Rockbridge Conservation booth during the Rockbridge Community Festival on Aug. 26. Later that day, about a dozen area residents met to discuss the decades-long history of these problems and to set in motion the formation of a volunteer citizen action group. The group has since adopted the name Maury River Alliance and has plans to operate as an action committee under the umbrella of Rockbridge Conservation, contingent upon RC board approval.
Responsibility for solving the problems of sediment build-up and release and the historically documented impairment of water quality in the Little Calfpasture and the Maury rests with the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which owns and operates Lake Merriweather, Goshen Dam and the surrounding Goshen Scout Reservation.
The thrust of MRA’s work to date has been: (1) to clarify the elements of the threat to downstream wildlife, recreation, agriculture, commerce and human habitation; and (2) to identify and communicate with the parties having key roles in developing and enforcing appropriate solutions.
MRA has met twice so far with Scout council representatives and continues to await news of meaningful progress on resolving the pollution issues and improving the management of Lake Merriweather and Goshen Dam.
Persons willing to help advance the work of Maury River Alliance are encouraged to email [email protected].
LINDA LARSEN, SANDRA STUART, JOAN JOYCE,
GEORGE KOSOVIC For Maury River Alliance
