VIRGINIA DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH RESCINDS EMERGENCY CLOSING OF UPPER RAPPAHANNOCK RIVER TO SHELLFISH HARVESTING

May 12, 2014

(RICHMOND, Va.)—The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) announced today that the emergency condemnation of the upper portion of the Rappahannock River is rescinded effective immediately. This action returns all Rappahannock River harvest areas to the harvest status in effect prior to the May 1 emergency closure.

A portion of the upper Rappahannock River was closed for shellfish harvesting due to runoff and flooding associated with heavy rains. The closure was effective May 1 – 15, 2014, to reopen on May 16, 2014. However, testing by the Division of Shellfish Sanitation indicates 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.