Protect the Rappahannock River – Demand a Basin-Wide Water Supply Plan!

The Rappahannock River is one of Virginia’s most iconic waterways, providing drinking water for communities, supporting agriculture and fisheries, and offering outstanding recreation opportunities. As the longest free-flowing river in Virginia, it sustains fish and wildlife while serving as a vital resource for a growing population. However, the river faces an urgent threat from a lack of basin-wide water supply planning, resulting in uncoordinated water management and increasing reliance on surface water withdrawals to meet the region's water needs. Without action, growing demand and lack of coordinated planning could deplete river flows, degrade water quality, and jeopardize the long-term sustainability of the Rappahannock for both people and nature.

Despite new regulations requiring regional water supply plans, the five planning regions within the Rappahannock watershed lack a mandate to operate under a unified, basin-wide approach. New water intake permits, done without the proper scientific research, and that allow major interbasin transfers of water, could set dangerous precedents.

To secure the river’s future the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) must implement comprehensive water management strategies.

**This Action Alert is for Virginia Residents Only!

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Manager

Weedon

Cloe

Virginia DEQ

Dear {contact_data~salutation},

The Rappahannock River is at risk due to increasing water withdrawals, inadequate planning, and increasing development. Localities are shifting from groundwater to surface water sources, placing additional strain on the river. Without proper management, these withdrawals could deplete river flows, threaten fish and wildlife, and harm agricultural communities that rely on clean, available water.

I call on DEQ to deny any proposed major transfers of water from the Rappahannock River to an adjacent river basin that do not return the water to the Rappahannock River basin.

Additionally, DEQ should create a coordinated, basin-wide water supply plan that considers the cumulative impacts of all withdrawals and prioritizes the long-term sustainability of the Rappahannock River.

The time to act is now. Virginia’s decision-makers must take responsibility for ensuring a sustainable future for the Rappahannock River by implementing smart, science-based water management solutions.

Sincerely,

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