State Sen. Richard Stuart, R-Westmoreland, has announced the formation of a task force to help restore the Chesapeake Bay.
The task force, Stuart said in a release, will seek to educate the public on the Bay's problems, and come up with legislative options to help ease Bay pollution.
"The condition into which we have let the Bay and its tributaries lapse is nothing less than criminal," Stuart said. "Having grown up on the water and crabbed and fished all my life, I'm afraid now to let my children swim in the Potomac River. This precious watershed must be restored."
Stuart said the task force is intended to be nonpartisan. He has already invited local officials, including Rep. Rob Wittman, R-1st, House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford, Del. Albert Pollard, D-Lancaster, and several other lawmakers.
Stuart said he wants to get statewide farm and conservation organizations involved, and hopes volunteers will step forward to organize and help operate regional educational workshops.
--Chelyen Davis