Reservoir ProjectNEW RELEASE Contact: Sarah Huddle, APR VIRGINIA DEQ ISSUES COBBS CREEK RESERVOIR DRAFT PERMIT CUMBERLAND COUNTY, Va.—May 11, 2007—The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) has issued the draft permit for the proposed Cobbs Creek Reservoir in Cumberland County, bringing the project one step closer to reality. The issuance of the draft permit follows nearly two years of extensive review by the DEQ, with input from numerous state and federal agencies, as well as the development of an Environmental Assessment and additional field work by the Cobbs Creek Reservoir partners to ensure minimal impacts to the environment. The 1,100-acre project will impact only 32 acres of wetlands which will be mitigated through the restoration of compromised wetlands and streams. Once built, the reservoir will provide additional wetlands and wildlife habitat. No endangered species were found to be compromised by the project. The DEQ permit is the second of three permits required for the project. The third permit is under review by the US Army Corps of Engineers and a decision is anticipated by early summer. The Virginia Marine Resources Commission issued a permit for the project’s innovative water withdrawal system last year. The project is viewed by many as a model for the DEQ’s regional water supply planning regulations implemented in response to the drought of 2002. The reservoir will provide an adequate long term, regional water supply for the counties of Henrico, Cumberland, Powhatan and a portion of Goochland while protecting the James River by putting water back into the river during periods of drought. “The Cobbs Creek Reservoir is more than a model water project,” said Bill Osl, Chairman, Cumberland County Board of Supervisors. “It is proof that we can cross our geo-political boundaries and work in regional cooperation to meet the needs of our citizens while protecting the precious natural resources that ultimately sustain us all.” Cobbs Creek Reservoir/ADD ONE With the issuance of the draft permit, the DEQ will publicize a 30-day public comment period. A copy of the Joint Permit Application, Environmental Assessment and related addenda are available for public review at the Cumberland County Public Library and the Cumberland County Administrator’s office. The Joint Permit Application is also posted on the DEQ web site at http://www.deq.virginia.gov/wetlands/publicnotices.html. Copies of the Environmental Assessment and related addenda may be requested through DEQ as noted on the web site.
More than 25 potential reservoir site locations were evaluated based on the parameters of reservoir size, existing land uses, affected wetland area and degree of impact to residents. The Cobbs Creek site was chosen because it had excellent storage potential and minimal impacts relative to other sites. The proposed Cobbs Creek Reservoir would hold 14.8 billion gallons and cover
Project Update Cumberland County and its regional partners have made significant process in the development of the Cobbs Creek Reservoir project. A project of this nature must undergo an extensive review and permitting process by the US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) as well as other state and federal agencies. The partners completed and submitted a Joint Permit Application to the USACE and DEQ in April 2005. To provide additional information and analysis for the government agencies, the partners followed this up with an Environmental Assessment (EA) in April 2006. Since the submittal of the Joint Permit Application and the supporting EA, the Cobbs Creek Reservoir partners have been working with representatives of the USACE, DEQ and the other state and federal resource agencies to answer the few remaining additional questions about the project and conduct additional field work and evaluation. To view the Joint Permit Application submitted to the USACE and DEQ, please click here: http://www.deq.virginia.gov/wetlands/publicnotices.html. (Please note you will be leaving the Cumberland County web site and entering the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality site to view these documents.). Copies of the Environmental Assessment and related addenda may be requested through DEQ as noted on their web site. Additionally, copies of the Joint Permit Application, Environmental Assessment and related addenda are available for review at: Cumberland County Public Library Cumberland County Administrator’s Office Next Steps: Fast Facts:
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