Contaminated Creeks Get Attention in JCC

By Desiree Parker Saturday, May 08, 2010

James City County is jointly hosting a public meeting on Thursday evening to discuss a plan to reduce high levels of fecal bacteria in Mill Creek and Powhatan Creek.

These two waterways have been listed as impaired since 2006 due to high levels of fecal bacteria. Sources of bacteria are from feces of livestock, wildlife, pets and humans near the stream and also from wildlife directly defecating in the stream.

The bacteria levels violate the state’s water quality standards, based on an EPA study done in 2008 on the areas in question. A plan to fix the problem, called a Draft Implementation Plan, will be available on the county’s website and will be discussed at Thursday’s meeting.

To read the 2008 study, visit the Department of Environmental Quality’s website.

The meeting is hosted by James City County, the state’s Department of Environmental Quality DEQ, the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Hampton Roads Planning District Commission.

Comments on the Draft Implementation Plan will be accepted through June 14. In addition to comments made at the public meeting, comments may be made in writing to Jennifer Howell or Jennifer Tribo. All written comments must include the submitter’s name, address and telephone number.

Jennifer Tribo, Hampton Roads Planning District Commission
723 Woodlake Dr., Chesapeake, VA 23320
Telephone: (757) 366-4344
Fax: (757) 523-4881
Email: jtribo@hrpdc.org

Jennifer Howell
Department of Environmental Quality, 5636 Southern Blvd.
Virginia Beach, VA 23262
Telephone: (757) 518-2111
Fax: (757) 518-2003
Email: jshowell@deq.virginia.gov