Virginia regulators are considering a permit request for one million gallons per day discharge at the Recycle Management plant in Alma on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River near Stanley.
In February, the Alliance joined the Page County Board of Supervisors and dozens of citizens and partner organizations in requesting the Department of Environmental Quality hold a formal public hearing regarding the draft permit.
DEQ has not decided yet whether there will be a public comment period, but it is hosting an informational public meeting on March 9, 2020 at 6:30 pm in the Stanley Fire Department social hall at 190 East Main Street, Stanley, VA 22851 (directions).
DEQ will discuss technical issues related to the draft permit, receive public input on the draft permit for the agency to consider, and answer questions from the public regarding the draft permit.
We’re still gathering details about the request and will be at the meeting to see what DEQ has to say. At the very least, we feel it important that a request for discharge of this magnitude into the South Fork should involve opportunity for thorough public input.
If you have concerns about this pollution permit, please get in touch with us at kwoodwell@shenandoahalliance.org and come to the meeting on Monday, March 9.
Links for more information:
- DEQ Fact Sheet
- Application for the reissuance of VPDES Permit No. VA0001961 for Alma Plant
- Draft permit
- Letter from Page County Board of Supervisors