THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Friday, July 22, 1994 TAG: 9407220019
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A12 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Letter
LENGTH: Medium: 54 lines
I was perplexed by ``Environmental agenda'' (editorial, July 3). I found it curious that you indicated that the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, among others, has ``wasted no time in letting it be known they would prefer (new Department of Environmental Quality Director Peter) Schmidt to leave the job of regulating decisions to the DEQ's `professionals.''' CBF officials have never said such a thing, privately or publicly! We have, however, met with Mr. Schmidt and are hopeful that we can work together in a number of areas.
Furthermore, CBF believes strongly that a healthy economy and a healthy environment are compatible goals. Studies such as those by the Maryland Department of Economic Development and Employment have demonstrated that, even in its degraded condition, Chesapeake Bay is worth $678 billion to the economies of Virginia and Maryland. Certainly, restoring the Bay makes good business sense.
A recent study by Massachusetts Institute of Technology researchers concluded that states with the strongest environmental-protection programs have the strongest economic measures. According to the M.I.T. report, ``It simply was not true that states with stronger environmental standards fared less well than those with weaker standards.''
It has been demonstrated that the public ranks environmental quality high on its list of priorities in selecting livable communities. Last fall's Money magazine reader poll of most desirable places to live found that two of the top three most important characteristics were clean water (No. 1) and clean air (No. 3). A low crime rate was No. 2.
Your insinuation that CBF is somehow anti-people and anti-property rights is mistaken. CBF's newly adopted mission statement also includes an important reference to improving the quality of life and health of the Bay region's human residents.
Finally, your suggestion that CBF or its members are somehow of only one political persuasion is totally false. The foundation's board of trustees, staff and membership represent the broad-based support of people of all philosophical and political persuasions who love the Bay. For you to suggest otherwise simply perpetuates the stereotypes you seem to abhor.
Environmental concerns are too important to politicize, too important to write editorials about without proper research and understanding of the issues and too important to misrepresent the programs and policies of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation.
WILLCOX RUFFIN JR., chairman
Hampton Roads Advisory Committee
Chesapeake Bay Foundation
Norfolk, July 14, 1994 by CNB