Ward Burton |
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
By MORRIS STEPHENSON - Staff Writer
"We all have to share in the pain of dealing with drought conditions," said Ward Burton, head of the Ward Burton Wildlife Foundation.
Burton, an outspoken supporter and practitioner of conservation, was referring to American Electric Power's schedule for releasing water during drought conditions from its Smith Mountain Dam project.
The Halifax County resident said he favors a recent agreement reached by AEP, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) and the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR).
"This compromise was reached a couple of months ago and all of the parties involved agreed it was fair to everyone concerned. This topic has been ongoing for a couple of years as part of APCo's relicensing permit renewal," Burton said.
"It's fair to those who would like to see a full pond for Smith Mountain Lake, and it's fair for those with down river (Staunton River) interests. They just want to see enough water released to prevent fish kills and for recreation purposes," he added.
Burton, who has an interest in the decision because he lives below the dam project, said he has been attending all of the meetings relating to the issue also because of his Virginia Racer Program in Franklin County.
"Although I don't live in Franklin County, I have a special interest in the community and the county's proposed water park project. I want the community to personally know my side of the issue," Burton said, referring to the proposed water park on the Pigg River at the old power dam site.
"I feel it is our responsibility that we all look after one another's needs as Southern Virginians," he said.
Burton said he attended a meeting last week of the Roanoke River Basin Association and that group said the two special interest groups should see if other compromises could be found.
Russ Johnson, a member of the Franklin County Board of Supervisors, chairs the Tri-County Relicensing Committee (TCRC) and said water releases being proposed by APCo in the company's relicensing plan sent to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should be a public safety concern for residents and users of Smith Mountain Lake.
Johnson has said he favors the release to reflect the inflow from the Roanoke and Blackwater rivers.
"The four agencies involved have done a good job of creating a balance of water during drought conditions for everybody concerned," Burton said.
"At end of the day, under the new permit that was drafted, there will be more water for everyone under all conditions. I'm speaking from both having an ample water supply, and under drought conditions, there will be more water than what we have under the current permit," Burton continued.
"It (action taken) was in the spirit of conservation cooperation. I know Russ (Johnson) would like to see Smith Mountain Lake at full pond (795 ft.) at all times even during a drought," Burton said
The three state agencies and APCo came up with a good agreement, but the Smith Mountain Lake interests disagree, pointed out the winner of NASCAR's Daytona 500 in 2002.
Burton said there is a Virginia DEQ hearing set for 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7 at Gretna High School. This meeting will attract the downstream (Staunton River) interests, according to Burton.
During the hearing, public comments will be taken on APCo's proposed permit that will regulate the release of water from the Smith Mountain Dam project.
"I want the people of the Franklin County community to know that myself and my foundation are concerned for the needs of Smith Mountain Lake, as well as the people who live downstream from the dam project," Burton emphasized.
"I know water is important for economic development, conservation and recreational needs. But under drought conditions no group can have everything it wants," he pointed out.
Burton said it stands to reason that Smith Mountain Lake can't be a full pond during drought conditions, nor can enough water be released to satisfy the needs of those living downstream of the dam project.
Burton stressed again he feels the agreement reached by the state agencies and APCo is a good compromise and one both interest groups can live with.
"This agreement will work. I think any other possible solution would negatively impact everyone concerned for many years to come," Burton said.
"There are no downstream interests I'm aware of that are not just as concerned about Smith Mountain Lake's needs as they are for having enough water in the Staunton River," he said.
Johnson could not be reached for further comment. |
