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Aug. 12, 2024
Editor, The News-Gazette: My family has the good fortune to own acreage on the Maury. We think it’s one of the most beautiful stretches of river in Virginia, and while we live and work in Lynchburg, we love the river and the community. Thus, we share concerns with many of our neighbors in Rockbridge regarding sediment releases from Lake Merriwether and the subsequent downstream harm.
I was pleased to learn of the formation of the Maury River Alliance last September. I readily volunteered and traveled from Lynchburg for the MRA public forum in Rockbridge Baths in April.
Recently, I was asked if I would take on a bit of research to help MRA.
My goal was to contact some well-established and successful conservation organizations and glean recommendations for bringing private landowners into working partnerships to solve long-standing —even contentious — pollution problems. I was gratified to receive a thorough response and helpful advice.
From this information it was clear that the Maury River Alliance is on the right track. My contact reported that organizing locally and making our voice heard by elected officials is the best way to get our concerns addressed. In their experience, “local, vocal persistence” has been most successful in drawing private landowners into collaborative arrangements, developing workable solutions, and identifying outside funding.
MRA has worked hard in recent months as a catalyst for progress. The steering committee is in a constructive dialog with the Boy Scout council that owns Lake Merriweather. Elected officials at local and state levels have been briefed and are looking for opportunities to have an impact.
As for “local, vocal persistence,” that’s something we can all help with. I encourage you to visit the MRA’s newly created website at mauryriveralliance. org, subscribe to the MRA mailing list, and to contribute to the efforts.
I am indeed fortunate to be part of a community where good folks are willing to work at preserving and enhancing the health of our river. I’m pleased to participate and look forward to doing more! ROBERT C. BASS Lynchburg and Rockbridge Baths
