HAMPTON, VA. (AP) --It is anybody's guess whether the proposed King William Reservoir will ever be built -- the Army Corps of Engineers seems unwilling to give Newport News a permit to build the $168 million plant. But for now, at least, the project is moving ahead with the support of the Hampton City Council. Last week, opponents made an impassioned appeal before council to withdraw that support. Proponents then argued just as fervently for the project. In all, the council heard 2-1/2 hours of back-and-forth discussion before voting 4-2 to continue support of the project. Councilman Tom Gear abstained, saying, "The problem I have is that one side says one thing, and the other side says exactly the opposite." Linwood Custalow, a member of the Mattaponi Indians, told the council there were "199 million acres of wetlands when the country was founded. Now there are 99 million acres. And wetlands are being destroyed at the rate of 40,000 acres a year. This project would destroy the largest amount of wetlands ever in the history of the state." Quoting Martin Luther King that, "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere," Thomas Ellis of Hampton said he opposes the reservoir "because it is unwise, unnecessary and unjust. It is monstrously unjust. It is an outright betrayal of a treaty with Virginia on which the Mattaponi Indians have relied since 1658." Anne Moore of Hampton said it "is impossible to think that the reservoir wouldn't affect the Mattaponi River's salinity," raising its salt levels and thereby possibly harming the shad fishing that the Indians rely on for their livelihood. But Randy Hildebrandt, an assistant city manager in Newport News who has worked on the project for the past 13 years, reminded the council, "The state stands firmly behind this project." So does the Peninsula Housing and Builders Association, a 400-member firm headed by Mark Ailsworth. "I would remind you that sincerity and truth are not always companions," Ailsworth said. "I've heard things represented tonight that are not even close to being the truth. The largest wetlands' loss in the history of Virginia? It simply isn't so. An out-right betrayal of a treaty? The courts have held otherwise." Mayor Mamie Locke, noting the city has passed many resolutions in support of the King William Reservoir, said, "I don't feel it would be prudent for the city of Hampton to rescind its support on this matter." Susan Friend can be reached at 247-7863 or by e-mail at sfriend@dailypress.com |
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