Senator Holtzman Vogel and Delegate May,
I am disappointed in the summary report from you and your staff. We are a community worried about our immediate health and safety and your meeting/recommendations did little if any help for our families.
We were disappointed when we learned from Memory Porter of Delegate May's office, that we were excluded from the meeting because the meeting was "legislative." We accepted this notice and worked hard to prepare you and your staff as well as Delegate May's staff with our history and our questions for Dr. Kleene. We were disappointed when we learned that all of our questions were not presented to Dr. Kleene, but mostly our expectations were dashed when we learned that Loudoun Water's "spin doctor," Mark Peterson would be included in the "legislative" meeting. This disappointment came to fruition with the summary report.
You gave no real expectations in your report. You suggested the interconnection with Selma was a "permanent fix." In fact, we are fearful because it appears that Selma's water is even more polluted than Raspberry Fall's, and we were told at best, the connection was only a "temporary backup" for our one sad well. You suggested that the Raspberry Falls Water Study which was voted by Loudoun Water Board of Directors on January 13, 2011, would be looking into long term solutions for Raspberry Falls. However, this water study committee has not been named or moved forward with any action since that date, 7 weeks ago. Our continued emails and phone calls to Loudoun Water questioning when this committee would move forward remain unanswered. This is another example of the repeated delay and non response we have received from Loudoun Water from the beginning of our cry for help.
You suggested there was an investigation after the disintegrating bison were discovered. Did you ask to see this report? We were told by Dr. Goodfriend, Director of Loudoun County Health Department, that there was no investigation other than one question, "why did the bison die," answer, "it was a rough winter." Most people understand that bison typically withstand "rough winters." A true investigation would have automatically required further questions and actions because of our karst geology and the possible repercussions to well contamination.
Why has the EPA dye trace study been delayed by Loudoun Water and our developer, Van Metre. This test would prove conclusively the true extent of the safety of our wells, GUDI or not. There can only be one answer as to why Loudoun Water and Van Metre fear the dye trace study and work against it taking place. I personally gave your office contact information for Dr. Malcolm Field of the EPA. He has done a complete field study of Raspberry Falls and the surrounding area since 2009. Dr. Fields is a world renowned limestone karst expert, and has studied our geology more than anyone. He has been standing ready to proceed with his test for over a year. Why was he not asked to join your meeting or at the very least be interviewed before your meeting?
There has been a merry-go-round of delay from John Wilburn, of Loudoun Water and Michael Banzhaf of Van Metre, for years. The EPA, at least, is taking a strong stand and trying to push forward with the dye trace study. We were hoping that your office could help us cut through this injustice and bring relief to our community. You told me in an email, Senator Holtzman Vogel, that our families were a priority.
We will continue to seek help for our community, again I am disappointed that our state representatives were not willing to do more.
Karen Saunders
cc: Congressman Frank Wolf
Senator Mark Warner
Senator Jim Webb
Governor Bob McDonnell
Dr. William Hazel
Senator Mark Herring
Delegate Robert Marshall
Dr. Wesley Kleene
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