THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 11, 1994 TAG: 9409090257
SECTION: SUFFOLK SUN PAGE: 03 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Close-Up
SOURCE: Jody R. Snider
DATELINE: SUFFOLK LENGTH: Medium: 80 lines
Before it became hip to be an environmentalist, Harry O. Dalton was on the bandwagon for clean water and soil.
In fact, Dalton, a nutrient-management specialist with the state Division of Soil and Water Conservation, has centered his life's work around environmental issues since 1948, when he took a job as a conservation technician in Isle of Wight County.
At that time, he worked with drainage from farms and with irrigation problems.
His goal, he says, has always been to help farmers environmentally.
Then, in 1981, he began working on a $2.5 million project he says was one of the highlights of his career: the Rural Clean Water Project. Its goal was to eliminate animal waste from the Nansemond River, Chuckatuck Creek and seven area reservoirs. Pollution in both waterways was so bad, he says, that shell fish had been devastated.
Seven years later, both waterways were reopened to shell fishing, and Dalton says he likes to think his work had something to do with that.
Today, Dalton, 64, works with hog farmers and other livestock farmers, helping them test manure for nutrient levels and then making sure that animal waste is applied to the soil at the proper rate - another effort to protect water resources.
``To do that,'' he says, ``I work with individual farmers, testing soil and manure and then come up with an individual plan for them.''
A farm boy himself, Dalton says he can't imagine doing anything else.
``It's always been something that's very important to me.''
Name: Harry Oliver Dalton
What brought you to Suffolk? I came as a project planner for Nansemond-Chuckatuck Rural Clean Water Project with the Soil Conservation Service. And later, I was an environmental specialist with the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
Hometown: Gretna, Va.
Birthdate: March 28, 1928
Nickname: None
Occupation: Nutrient management specialist with the Division of Soil and Water Conservation.
Marital status: Married for 48 years
Children: Billy, 48; Debbie, 41; and Mark, 31; grandson, William, 6
Favorite movie: ``The Sound of Music''
Favorite magazine: All farm magazines and Reader's Digest
A book you wish everyone would read, and why: The Bible; it's a guide for living.
Favorite night out on the town: Dinner with family and friends and then to the theater or a concert.
Favorite bar or restaurant: Ellis Seafood or Angelo's.
Favorite food and drink: Seafood and coffee.
Few people know . . . that I am a workaholic.
What's the best thing about yourself? I love to help people, especially farmers, solve problems. I also treat everyone fairly.
Worst habit: I drink too much coffee.
First thing in the morning: Coffee and The Virginian-Pilot.
Pets: None
Hobbies: Fishing and gardening
Ideal vacation: Going to Nags Head with the family.
Pet peeve: Being late. My motto is: Never be late and always be five minutes early.
First job: Soil Conservation Service
Worst job: U.S. Air Force. It just wasn't my career.
Of what achievements are you most proud? Exceeding all goals in the Rural Clean Water Project. We were looking at cleaning up surface waters in Nansemond River and Chuckatuck Creek and also the seven water reservoirs in the area. After the project was over, shell fishing in those areas was reopened.
What would you like as your epitaph? ``He made a difference in soil and water conservation. He was a farmers' friend.'' ILLUSTRATION: Staff photo by JOHN H. SHEALLY II
by CNB