In October, 2021, Blue Water Development Corporation submitted a special use permit to expand Outlanders River Camp located at 4253 US Hwy 211 West, Luray. That permit was approved by the Page County Board of Supervisors, and what is now called Luray RV Resort & Campground on Shenandoah River is seeking a required wastewater discharge permit from the state Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
- “…the South Fork Shenandoah River is already impaired, and authorizing an additional discharge will further impair the river;
- the nutrient trading agreement for the proposed discharge is not protective of local water quality in South Fork Shenandoah River;
- the RV resort and campground design characteristics may not have been clearly conveyed, the design of the wastewater treatment facility may need to be revisited, and DEQ does not have a technical review process;
- the wastewater treatment facility will be in the 100-year flood plain;
- has the applicant considered disposing the wastewater on their own property in a drain field or hauling the wastewater off-site;
- how is compliance at this wastewater treatment facility assessed?”
In addition, DEQ held a public information session on January 19, 2023 at the Luray Fire Hall to answer questions regarding the permit. At that meeting, many people expressed their concerns over the permit and followed up by requesting a formal public hearing.
What You Can Do
Attend the Public Hearing
Thursday, April 6
6pm
Luray High School Auditorium,
243 Bulldog Drive, Luray, VA
(directions)
Submit Written Comments*
by April 21
By mail:
ATTN: Megan O’Gorek
DEQ Valley Regional Office
P.O. Box 3000
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
By email:
megan.ogorek@deq.virginia.gov
Hand delivery:
ATTN: Megan O’Gorek
DEQ Valley Regional Office
4411 Early Road
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
*All comments must include the name, address or email address of the person commenting.
DEQ has agreed, and a public hearing is scheduled for April 6, 2023 at 6pm in the Luray High School Auditorium, 243 Bulldog Drive (directions).
- People wishing to comment will sign up and the time allowed for each statement is set by the hearing officer (likely under 3 minutes).
- Comments must be directed to DEQ staff.
- This public hearing is not interactive. DEQ personnel will not answer questions or respond to comments from the public.
- Comments should pertain strictly to the wastewater permit application.