Ground water is such a part of our lives that we often take it for granted--it is "out of sight, out of mind."   As the state's population grows, ground water will become an increasingly important resource. It is crucial that this resource be managed carefully.   The Integrated Report includes a chapter on ground water resources.

The Ground Water Protection Steering Committee is an inter-agency committee formed to stimulate, strengthen, and coordinate ground water protection activities in Virginia. The Steering Committee, founded in 1986, includes State agencies with ground water protection interests and the U.S. Geological Survey.  The State agencies represented are DEQ, the Virginia Department of Health, the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development, the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy, the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the Virginia Department of General Services/Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, and Virginia Cooperative Extension.  The Steering Committee meets via conference call several times a year for information exchange purposes.  The general public is invited to participate in the conference call.  For information contact Mary Ann Massie.