In the last few days, the WV Commissioner of Agriculture, Gus Douglass, has released data collected by the state Department of Agriculture (DOA) laboratory in Moorefield, WV. The lab has been studying water quality issues in West Virginia’s Potomac Headwaters for the last year or so. At the same time the Cacapon Institute (which is funded by the US Fish and Wildlife Service and is one of WV River Coalition’s affiliates) has done similar studies in the area.

In interim reports released within a week of each other, the two entities have said two different things. Because of the political clout of the commissioner, the release by the DOA dominated the media. The focus of these studies is to evaluate the current status of the Potomac Headwaters and to re-evaluate the impact of the poultry industry on water quality in the region. Douglass has led the public to believe that his data indicates bacterial problems in the basin are not related to poultry factory farms. The Cacapon Institute has said that due to the drought in the area for the last year or so, it is impossible to evaluate the current impact of run-off and poultry farms in the area. The Institute went on to say that there is clear evidence from their past studies in the Lost River of impacts from agriculture.

We would like folks to write letters simply saying that since the DOA study was done during a drought, common sense tells us that the study couldn’t possibly have evaluated nonpoint run-off that is characteristic of poultry farms. That being true, we think it is irresponsible of the Commissioner to mislead the public and poultry farmers who are doing their best to cope with the problem. This reckless behavior could impact funding for technical support for farmers and will create long-term environmental problems by shifting the public’s focus and energy away from the poultry industry prematurely, before sound scientific data has been gathered.

 ACTION:

Write a letter to the Charleston Gazette saying that you question the validity of the study released by the DOA that focuses on water quality in the Potomac Headwaters. In your letter, note that:

 * The study was done during low-flow conditions, so accurately evaluating run-off from factory farms is impossible.

 * Our Commissioner of Agriculture has tried to mislead the public into thinking the study done by the state lab is accurate and valid. This is irresponsible behavior and unfair to the public and poultry farmers who have to deal these water quality issues.

 * The Cacapon Institute has evidence that distinctly shows agricultural impacts to the Potomac Headwaters. Therefore, we shouldn’t let the poultry industry off the hook until all the necessary data has been collected, processed, and released.

 You can e-mail your letter to the Gazette at letters@wvgazette.com. Or you can send your letter by mail to: Letters to the Editor, Charleston Gazette, 1001 Virginia St., East, Charleston, WV 25301.

Letters have a 200-word limit and must include the author’s name, address, and daytime phone number.

Contact Pam Moe-Merritt at the West Virginia Rivers Coalition at 304/637-7201, or e-mail pmoe@neumedia.net. You may also get in touch with Margaret Janes of the Potomac Headwaters Resource Alliance at 304/897-6048 or e-mail MJPAWS@aol.com.