That is, “Virginia designed the Bay Act to enhance water quality and still allow reasonable development to continue”. Local governments always have to walk the razor’s edge when dealing with water quality protection and local land use decision-making. Just as the PSA has the promise to act as an agent for long-term environmental controls, it also can be used as a means to increase short-term sprawl and degradation. We have seen which side Cape Charles has chosen, so folks are right to be skeptical about not just the PSA, but the new zoning changes.

That said, hopefully we can continue to work towards achieving a balance between the health of the Bay, maintaining our rural character, and careful, managed growth.