Smith Mountain Lake Gets More Funding for Water Testing in New State Budget

SMITH MOUNTAIN LAKE, VA – The new state budget signed  by Governor Younkin includes $250,000 that will fund more testing of Smith Mountain Lake and other inland waterways in Virginia. Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) joined with the Lake Anna Civic Association to request the budget amendment to help protect Virginia’s freshwater lakes and rivers.

The funds will allow the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), in coordination with the Division of Consolidated Laboratory Services, to test inland waterways for the presence of harmful algal blooms (HABs).

The investment by the Commonwealth comes one year after the General Assembly approved a $150,000 budget amendment for the DEQ to conduct an analysis of HABs at Smith Mountain Lake. That work is under way in collaboration with Virginia Tech and SMLA.

“We thank Delegate Bulova, Senator Peake, Senator Reeves, and Senator Stuart for sponsoring the amendments,”  said John Vidovich, SMLA President. “SMLA appreciates the continued support from Governor Younkin and the General Assembly to help keep Smith Mountain Lake clean and safe.”