UPPER JAMES RIVER ROUNDTABLE/MOUNTAIN WATERS RC&D
MINUTES
JULY 20, 2007
Present
Tammy Stephenson, Dalayna Tillman, Joel Maynard, Jean Clark, Kent Ford, Ellen Ford,
Don Drake, Staci Merkt, Bill MacIntosh, Charlene Oliver, Ridge Hundley, Tom Kirlin,,
Jim Echols, Blaine Delaney, George Devlin, Margaret Spencer, Phyllis Faurier, Frits van
der Leeden, Jay Gilliam, Caroline Bott, Steve Richards, Jenny Templeton, Carol
Linkenhoker, Genevieve Goss, Paul Bugas, Ron Young, and Nesha Mizel.
Ms. Stephenson called the meeting to order.
Groundwater Characterization in Virginia
Joel Maynard, VADEQ
Ms. Stephenson introduced Joel Maynard from VADEQ, who gave a very informative
and interesting PowerPoint presentation on ground water characterization currently being
conducted across the state.
Ms. Stephenson explained the next two items on the agenda were proposed projects in
Botetourt County. Two groups were going to speak, one for each project. As the
UJRR/RC&D is a non-advocacy group, these presentations were for information only,
and no formal action by the board would be taken.
Proposed quarry on a tributary of the James River
Ron Young for Colby Trammell
Ron Young attended for Colby Trammell to speak regarding the proposed quarry in
Botetourt County. Mr. Young said the quarry is proposed for the northern end of
Botetourt County. There is an approved mine near Catawba Creek, but it is not currently
in operation. The proposed mine is across the creek from the existing mine. Mr. Young
and others are opposed to the approval of this mine, for many reasons. There is concern
about how the future flow in Catawba Creek may be affected by this mine, karst, springs,
wells, ground water, current growth, and sedimentation for Catawba Creek and,
ultimately, the James River. Also, timber has been stripped on this property.
Mr. Young said the initial application to Botetourt County has been withdrawn and the
company proposing the mine is conducting additional testing, yet they have requested a
commercial entrance through VDOT.
Mr. Young reported that the company is proposing 10 jobs, possibly less if some move
from another quarry, and 50-70 trucks per day. There is no significant tax revenue for
Botetourt County, according to Mr. Young.
Proposed strip mine above three-(3) watersheds that feed into the upper James
River
Ridge Hundley and Tom Kirlin reporting for "Friends of Anthony Mountain"
Mr. Hundley explained that General Shale LLC holds an option to purchase 430
acres from Jerry Fraley's 1000 +\- acre tract for a shale mine. The property is located east
of US route 220 between Dudley Stretch and Lick Run Bridge and was formerly owned
by Westvaco. According to Mr. Hundley, General Shale has estimated 50 trucks a day
will haul shale from this proposed mining site to their plant in Blue Ridge.
There are concerns about water quality due to sedimentation, dust generation and
dispersal. Three tributaries to the James River would potentially be affected by this
operation - Lick Run (and Lick Run Wetlands), Sinking creek, and Long Branch.
More information on this proposed strip mine can be obtained by visiting
friendsofanthonymountain.org.
Citizen Monitoring
Jay Gilliam reported that he is planning two training sessions. One will be in Alleghany
County next week, as he has two people willing to 'adopt' Dunlap Creek. He will be
setting up another training session on Catawba Creek and/or Craig Creek.
George Devlin, VADEQ, wanted to speak about the citizen monitoring/SOS data use, as
there had been some confusion about this. He reported that the data gathered by citizens
would be used as a guide for DEQ to look at streams with the probability of being
impaired, if DEQ did not already have this data or knowledge. Mr. Devlin reported that
citizen data alone will not be used to declare a stream impaired.
Mountain Waters RC&D Application
Ms. Stephenson reported that the Articles of Incorporation were received from George
Price. She will get the necessary signatures, the required fee, and send the form to the
State Corporation Commission. Once this is approved, the application for non-profit
status can be pursued.
Ms. Stephenson met with Blaine Delaney and other representatives from state and
national RC&D agencies. The recommendation from them is to submit our RC&D
application this fall, even though it will likely not be funded, as no new ones are
proposed, probably until the end of the war. However, we can call ourselves and RC&D
and posture ourselves for funding once it is available.
Blaine Delaney was in attendance and offered any help he can give on our application.
He will plan to attend the meeting in August.
As there are a number of elements of the application process that must be completed, Ms.
Stephenson asked for a special meeting in August just for the purpose of discussing and
working on the application. She will send out an inquiry next week to determine a
meeting date.
Several things that need to occur prior to the filing include formal appointments to the
board by the local governments and other participating agencies and an update of the
Action Plan. These will be discussed at length at the August meeting.
Other Issues
Ms. Stephenson recognized Margaret Spencer from the Natural Bridge SWCD. This
SWCD is the UJRR/RC&D fiscal agent, and Margaret takes care of all our financial
needs.
Project Funding
We will have some available funding from our DCR grant due to the resignation of our
coordinator and our not replacing her at this point. As such, Nesha was made aware of a
project at Douthat State Park that she thought we might want to consider.
The state recently purchased a former privately-owned campground on the creek to add
to the Park. There is currently a dam on the creek at this location (formerly Whispering
Pines) and park officials plan to remove the dam in 3-7 months. Some plantings above
the dam will occur this fall, but the majority of required plantings will occur in the spring
of 2008. Some financial assistance is requested for these plantings.
We might want to participate to make the public aware of riparian buffers and their value
to the watersheds through signage at the site. Park officials seem receptive to this as long
as the signs are not too big or numerous and do not take away from the aesthetic value of
the property. The target area is adjacent to public trails and a camping area. The area
would be 2600 feet long and 30 feet wide on either side of the stream, give or take.
Obviously, the costs vary depending upon the vegetation planted. The state official
working with Nesha (and where I got most of this information) estimates conservatively
that the project would cost $5.00 per linear foot in initial planting, or approximately
$13,000. This would not include reforesting with nursery trees, which would be needed
at some point. The park's vegetation and reforestation budget allows $3,750 for the
plantings project. Obviously, our budget will not allow for this type of money (we were
only awarded $10,000), but the board can consider contributing a portion to the project.
There was discussion that included other projects that we may want to consider. It was
decided that anyone with a potential project should get the information to Ms. Stephenson
so she can send out to everyone for consideration at the October meeting.
Fish Kill
Paul Bugas gave an update on the fish kills on the Shenandoah, Cowpasture, and James
Rivers. He stated that all fish but gar have been affected with lesions. Thirty percent
(30%) of the bass and sunfish were affected in the James and Shenandoah. The task
force will be looking at the affects of agriculture waste streams, among other things.
There is no point source discharge on the Cowpasture River. One of the areas that the
Fish Kill Task Force will be investigating is the possible connection between non-point
ag runoff and compromised fish health in the Cowpasture, James, and Shenandoah
Rivers. Mr. Echols reminded everyone that the task force has not found any answers yet,
but continue to conduct their research.
Information Meeting Regarding Land Disturbance
Mr. Echols reported that there will be a meeting on September 4 from 9am until noon at
the Augusta County Government Complex in Verona. The meeting is targeted for local
government officials involved in land disturbance and land conversion and is planned to
lessen the confusion about regulations and responsibilities when land is being converted.
Board members are encouraged to contact their local government officials to make sure
someone from all localities plan to attend.
Ad Hoc Committees
Ms. Stephenson reminded everyone that several things still needed to be accomplished to
complete our Scope of Work for the DCR grant. These include updating the website and
developing a brochure. She asked for volunteers for ad hoc committees to concentrate on
these topics. Committees are to be prepared to report at the October meeting.
Minutes
Minutes of the April 20, 2007 meeting were approved as corrected. A revised version
will be submitted via email to the board.
As there was no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned.