Letters To the Editor

Of Marxists and RPAs

I hate to interrupt all the rhetoric flying around regarding the Resource Protection Area (RPA) issue and bore everyone with facts, but I just don't think childish name-calling is helpful to a rational discussion. Regarding a recent letter to the editor citing "Marxist environmentalists" [Extra, Oct. 16], it looks like the spirit of Joe McCarthy lives on!

Let's at least debate based on facts instead of rhetoric, innuendo or accusations of communist tendencies. I'm no expert on RPAs, but I can read the regulations.

Some RPA facts: The RPA rules are not a taking, an easement or a confiscation. No one has any right to access your property without your permission. There are certain limitations on what can be done in the RPA by the property owner, just like there are with many other rules regarding property in Virginia, such as setback requirements, zoning requirements, etc.

The major thing you can't do in the RPA is clear-cut the existing vegetation. This is to prevent erosion, water contamination and undermining of the natural filtering capabilities of the wooded buffer. This is for the good of all Virginians who drink water, fish in water, boat in water, or care at all for stream ecosystems. You also can't build a shed near the waterline.

Some things you can do in the RPA: build a road, prune lower tree branches for a view of the water, remove dead trees and construct a path. Under existing rules, there are also other exceptions to some requirements allowed under certain conditions.

I think it's also important to note that in all the cases I've heard of, the reason that the county addresses RPA infractions is that a resident has complained. I think this shows that the majority of folks think these restrictions are a good idea and will protect the health of our streams in the future. It seems to me it's the least we can do to ensure that our children and grandchildren have clean water, whether they're Marxist or not!

Martin Jeter

Woodbridge

Protecting Our Water

Mr. Robert T. Molleur is the one who "doesn't get it" [Extra, Oct. 16]. Property owners have a responsibility not to harm others or degrade our common resources. Private property rights are not absolute. You cannot legally pour oil on your lawn and contaminate the water or have a mosquito breeding ground in your back yard. You cannot prosecute the rain for trespassing or charge it with theft when it moves a little dirt to your neighbor's yard.

Resource Protection Areas (RPAs) are important and necessary. They protect our water supply and prevent erosion. They help keep real streams from becoming degraded drainage ditches.

Prince William County has a history of erosion. Dumfries was once one of the main ports on the Eastern Seaboard, rivaled only by Boston. This was completely destroyed by the silting of Quantico Creek. I hope we will not have to painfully learn this again by having Occoquan Reservoir fill with dirt.

If Mr. Molleur is so hostile toward RPAs and people doing their fair share for the community, perhaps he should import his water from elsewhere. Perhaps Mr. Molleur owns a bottled water company. I can think of no other reason he would have such a myopic and cavalier attitude toward our water supply.

Kevin Parker

Woodbridge