March 18, 2024 Editor, The News-Gazette: I believe many of your readers will be interested to learn that Maury River Alliance (MRA) will hold a public forum titled “What’s Wrong with Our River?” starting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, at the Rockbridge Baths Volunteer Fire Department. The forum is open to the public and all are welcome.
The forum will address ways to reduce the sediment that causes the discoloration and murkiness of water in the Maury River. Readers of your paper have pointed out these problems since the dramatic and unexpected release of sediment-laden water into the river in August 2023.
The sediment comes from Lake Merriweather, a 444-acre private lake located on the Goshen Scout Reservation. The property is owned and operated by the National Capital Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America to provide summertime recreational and educational programs for Scouts in the Metro DC area.
The forum will also be a chance for attendees to learn what MRA is doing to engage state agencies, the Scout council and elected officials in collaborative problem-solving.
Maury River Alliance is a group of concerned citizens and landowners who volunteer their time and knowledge to help improve the quality of water in the Maury and Little Calfpasture rivers. MRA is organized as a subgroup under the Watershed Committee of Rockbridge Conservation.
LINDA LARSEN Member of Maury River Alliance