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Our View
Flush into
the Rush?
Just so no one misses it, there is a public notice in
this week’s edition. The purpose is to seek public
comment and announce a public hearing on a draft permit from the Department of Environmental Quality that will allow the release of treated wastewater into a water body in Rappahannock County.
More specifically, the Rush River.
According to environmental specialist Susan Oakes, DEQ received numerous comments on the proposed permit issuance, including questions on the potential impact of the proposed discharge during low/zero flow conditions in the Rush River, potential impact of the proposed discharge on the recreational uses of the Rush River, consideration of alternative sewage treatment options, stream health assessment through in-stream/eftluent screening/monitoring impacts to property values, potential odor problems, continued operation and maintenance of the wastewater treatment system, nutrient offsets and trading, stream classification, rights of landowners, concerns with impacts to economy/agriculture and impacts to health and environment.
Based on the number of comments, DEQ moved forward with the public hearing procedures.
The hearing will be held on Tuesday, March 28 at the Rappahannock High School auditorium. The hearing is the only time that oral comments will be accepted.
Aji informal briefing and question and answer period will start at 6:30 p.m. followed by the official hearing at 7 p.m.
County residents are weighing in on an issue that has been before the Town of Washington officials and residents for a long time and one that will need to be addressed soon.
With failing septic systems creeping through the county countered with how best to preserve the health of one of the county’s rivers, the solution undoubtedly won’t be an easy one for everyone to swallow.
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