Some Answers> River Basin Committee

(Following is from Smidgen Barnes, an SCC friend in Louisville, KY)

You've asked some great questions and I sure hope you get answers. Looking at the Dept of Environmental Quality website would indicate that this advisory committee is somewhat of a joke which is so unfortunate.

§ 62.1-69.34 created the Virginia Roanoke River Basin Advisory Committee. It spells out the membership and purpose. Regarding meetings, the statute says this:

"The meetings of the advisory committee shall be held at the call of the chairman or whenever the majority of the voting members so request."

The last meeting minutes available on the DEQ website are from March 9, 2005. That's nearly three years ago! There was a meeting scheduled for July 26, 2005 but apparently it never was held.

Should you not get the info you desire, I hope that you'll follow through with a formal Open Records Request through the Freedom of Information Act. The contact is listed on the DEQ Contacts page.

What you're asking and asking for is important. You're to be commended for taking the time to follow this up. Coles' membership on this Committee seems incongruous at best.

Smidgen Barnes
Louisville, KY