Summit looks to improve water quality

Conservationists and environmental experts huddled Friday in Waynesboro to discuss ways to improve water quality of the area’s spring creeks and mountain waters.

The second annual Coldwaters Summit had a purpose of “training the trainers’’ of conservation, either those from local government or those involved as volunteer stakeholders, said Len Poulin, co-chairman of this weekend’s Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. The fly fishing festival co-sponsored the summit.

“The festival is a catalyst for bringing attention to this,’’ Poulin said.

There are 17 coldwater springs feeding into Waynesboro’s South River, he said.

Some of the discussion Friday revolved around a successful production of brook trout in the streams. Poulin said once this can be accomplished, the health of a coldwater stream is at an optimum level.

One of the keys to improving the area springs and headwaters is controlling the agricultural runoff.

Last year alone, farmers in Staunton and Augusta County contributed 32 miles of stream buffers, designed to control the runoff from agriculture, which contributes to nutrient pollution that works its way to Valley rivers and the Chesapeake Bay.

Robert Whitescarver, Augusta County conservationist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said there are programs that allow farmers to put buffers or other measures on their land to protect against runoff.

Whitescarver said a popular method being employed by farmers is fencing of their land, which keeps livestock from getting to streams. He said farmers can be reimbursed for putting a fence as close as 10 feet from a stream.

Weyers Cave dairy farmer Gerald Garber has fenced his 500-acre dairy farm and participated in other conservation practices.

“The momentum is building on a true conservation process,’’ Garber said.

Whitescarver emphasized that buffers and other conservation measures are strictly voluntary for farmers. And he said his agency is happy to help farmers control runoff.

“We won’t come on your farm and tell you what to do,’’ said Whitescarver, reinforcing the voluntary nature of farm conservation.

Poulin said Friday’s summit added depth to the weekend Virginia Fly Fishing Festival. He said the festival has become more than just an event of vendors and enjoying the South River.

He said the festival is now investigating ways to make the river healthier and get the maximum benefit from it.