THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1997, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Sunday, January 5, 1997               TAG: 9701030010
SECTION: COMMENTARY              PAGE: J4   EDITION: FINAL 
TYPE: Letter 
                                            LENGTH:   38 lines

ENVIRONMENT NEEDS BIPARTISAN SUPPORT

Findings of the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission's recent review of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, reported in your Dec. 10 article ``Virginia fails environmental report card,'' show that DEQ is not meeting its constitutional and statutory mandates to protect state waters. Failing grades were given to DEQ's protection of state waters, inspections, water enforcement, environmental planning and internal management. The Chesapeake Bay Foundation believes these findings must be directly addressed to ensure the health of Virginia's waters and the Chesapeake Bay.

In fact, the JLARC review further substantiates our own analyses of state data put forth in the Bay Foundation's recent report, ``Virginia's Waters Still at Risk.'' Extensive water-quality problems exist in Virginia due to egregious shortcomings in DEQ's monitoring, evaluation and toxics programs. These resource problems are far worse than have been depicted by the state agency.

As JLARC has noted, the resource problems are compounded by the woeful inadequacies of Virginia's enforcement program. Virginia ranks below every other southeastern state surveyed in the area of enforcement. Virginians must demand that the state get aggressive in protecting our waters, managing toxics and enforcing pollution laws.

The citizens of Virginia should be alarmed by the findings of JLARC, an independent, highly respected arm of the legislature. To dismiss its report as merely a political document, as some have suggested, is to deny - but not negate - the seriousness of these charges. Governor Allen must remedy the deplorable situation at this environmental agency, and bipartisan support is essential if the commonwealth is to protect and restore its vital natural resources.

JOSEPH H. MAROON

Virginia executive director

Chesapeake Bay Foundation

Richmond, Dec. 20, 1996