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had hired attorneys specializing in “water law” to represent them before the SWCB. In addition to their attorney, Chris Pomeroy of Aqualaw, Washington was supported before the SWCB by Rappahannock County Administrator John McCarthy, Delegate Tbdd Gilbert’s aide Gary Frink and State Senator Mark Obenshain. Mayor Eugene Leggett and several citizens from Washington and Rappahannock County also spoke at the meeting.
“I have never seen a local government body as conscientious and progress minded as the local governing bodies of Rappahannock County and Washington,” Obenshain told the SWCB.
Obenshain and Gilbert both visited Washington and examined the town’s dire septic problems for themselves.
“I wouldn’t be here if this wasn’t important, said Obenshain.
Added to the comments of the representatives was the testimony ofDEQ’s Tbm Faha, who directed the writing of Washington’s permit.
“It’s my personal judgment that this is the right answer,” Faha told the board.
The Friends of the Rush River and other opponents of the Washington discharge permit were represented by attorney Bill Ellis, and Christina Loock. Loock’s husband Donald spoke before the SWCB on behalf of the Piedmont Environmental Council, though his comments asked for stronger regulation within the permit rather than opposing Washington’s discharge into the river. The “Friends” lawyer, Ellis, asked the board to delay their decision until Washington could produce documentation of their requirements for a sewage plant and that they had considered all available alternatives to discharging into the Rush.
“If they have no other option, why can’t they demonstrate that?” asked Ellis. Ellis also questioned the policies of the Department of Environmental Quality, arguing that their standards were not high enough, and that continuing to allow effluent discharge into impaired, intermittent rivers like the Rush was irresponsible.
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