VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH REOPENS UPPER RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

May 23, 2014

(RICHMOND, Va.)—The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that the upper portion of the Rappahannock River, closed to shellfish harvesting on May 17 due to heavy rains and flooding, is reopened effective immediately. This action returns all Rappahannock River harvest areas to the harvest status in effect prior to the May 17 emergency closure.

VDH Division of Shellfish Sanitation has monitored the water quality in the river since the flooding occurred. Sample results confirm that the area is now safe to open for harvesting.

For more information about how to protect yourself and your family before, during and after natural disasters, visit www.vdh.virginia.gov or the Virginia Department of Emergency Management’s Web site at www.vaemergency.com.