Despite being classified by The Nature Conservancy as "the most pristine freshwater marsh habitat on the entire east coast" in the 1980s, of late the Pamunkey River has been the victim of uncontrolled growth and its attendant pollution. In 1999 the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency designated the Pamunkey as an impaired waterway, and in early 2001 the U.S. Geological Survey reported that the Pamunkey River leads all tributaries of the Chesapeake Bay in the increase of pollutants from wastewater discharges during recent years.
The government of Hanover County intends to exacerbate matters further by constructing a sewage discharge expandable to a capacity of 30 million gallons per day.
The site of the proposed discharge is spawning ground for the American Shad, a fish whose population has decreased so dramatically in recent years that a state-wide moratorium on eating them is in effect. Approximately 15 miles downriver of the proposed discharge site, the Pamunkey Indian Reservation operates a shad hatchery, the oldest fish hatchery in the country. The tribe's efforts to restore the shad population to historic levels could be jeopardized if Hanover succeeds in building the discharge.
Furthermore, Hanover officials have shown disrespect for the agricultural and historic resources threatened by the project. In June of 2000, the Hanover Board of Supervisors seized a portion of historic Newcastle Farm (a Virginia Historic Landmark) by eminent domain with the intent to build the proposed discharge on the riverbank there.
Despite pending litigation that challenges the legitimacy of Hanover's permits for the proposed discharge, construction began on March 7, 2001. Having less than 24 hours notice, more than 70 members of the SaveOurRiver.org mailing list arrived at Newcastle Farm in the early morning hours to protest. Our message:
Hanover County should not begin construction so long as questions remain regarding the viability of discharging millions of gallons of sewage each day into the Pamunkey River. Furthermore, proceeding with construction now impoverishes the due process afforded to citizens attempting to preserve the Pamunkey River for the enjoyment of future generations.
Hanover County should pursue regional alternatives for its wastewater treatment needs and focus on preserving--not polluting--the Pamunkey.
"The arc of the universe is long, but it bends toward justice." --MLK, Jr.
