The amount of failing streams in the French Broad River Watershed has increased by 75\% in the last two years and the City of Asheville is proposing rules that would reduce one of the most vital protections for the river. Stream side vegetation is currently protected to prevent harmful pollution from entering the river. The proposed rules would reduce those protections and leave the French Broad River vulnerable to further water quality decline. I sign this in support of the protection of our mountain streams and improving water quality with additional streamside vegetation!