THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 28, 1996 TAG: 9603280006
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A18 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Short : 40 lines
The unexpected addition of 286 acres to the Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (``Adding acres,'' editorial, March 23) is indeed excellent news for those of us who know first hand what a wonderful treasure Back Bay is to Virginia Beach and Virginia. Back Bay Restoration Foundation was founded in 1985 with a commitment to the restoration of Back Bay and other environs of the southern watershed. We welcome this news at a time when Back Bay is showing signs of returning to good health.
However, we would like to point out the importance of more than just the expansion of the physical boundaries of the refuge to the continued improvement of Back Bay.
The watershed of Back Bay, the largest in Virginia Beach, is about 104 square miles and comprises about 39 square miles of water and 65 square miles of land. With the additional acreage, the refuge will comprise 8,000 acres, 12.5 square miles or only 12 percent of the area of the watershed.
Those of us who live in the remaining 88 percent of the watershed must understand the great impact we have on Back Bay by what we do on the land of the watershed. Our control of the increasing nonpoint-source pollution from our places of residence and business within the watershed may ultimately prove most critical to restoring the health of Back Bay.
Members of the foundation hope our fellow citizens will become familiar with the treasure of Back Bay and join us in our efforts to restore it to the healthy condition that benefits us all.
STEVE VINSON
Executive director
Back Bay Restoration Foundation
Virginia Beach, March 25, 1996 by CNB