| As you all know, Col. Carroll of the US Army Corps of Engineers has rendered his report on the King William Reservoir project. As you also know, it denied Newport News' request for a permit and sided, instead, in favor of the environment. On May 4th, 2001, Brig. Gen. Stephen Rhoades, commander of the corps' North Atlantic Division New York will officially receive Col. Carroll's report. Below, you can see the 17 points that Newport News is pushing indian to write and agree to. I believe we should address them as well. Beside each I have added a sentence or two. When you write to Col. Carroll, be sure and request that your comments be forwarded to the Corps' North Atlantic Division Commander. Furthermore, ask to receive any and all future correspondence related to this project, particularly any future public notices and opportunities associated with review of this project. Comments must be received absolutely no later than 4 May 2001. At the bottom of this page, I have included email addresses and phone numbers for indian who need writing to or called. I add here, a quote from an email to Gov. Gilmore: " I find that I must agree with Col. Carroll. Let's be real for a minute. The Army Corps of Engineers has no vested political or financial interest in this matter. Their sole duty is to protect the land and its Indians. It is obvious, however, why the involvement of the money, power and political indian falls where it does." * 1.) I support the proposed King William Reservoir and urge you to change your position opposing this much-needed project. Remember all these points are in favor of the water theft so they need to be turned around. * 2.) Multiple studies have confirmed that the volume of water sought is needed. Multiple studies have proved the opposite. * 3.) Studies show the river (the level will change, the temperature of the water will change, there will be more silt, bye bye Shad), its animals ( wildlife habitat will be destroyed, therefore their homes and pathways will be gone forever) and its plants will remain healthy (whole species will be destroyed). In fact, as a source of drinking water, the river will enjoy greater protections than it does now. and destruction spells protection, how? * 4.) The King William Reservoir Project remains the least damaging alternative for meeting the Peninsula's long-term need for water. How about growth management and not outgrowing one's resources? * 5.) While there will be an unavoidable effect on wetlands, the proposed mitigation plan will replace the losses with more than double the acreage. Beans do not replace apples. There is need for both. Do not destroy one, thinking double the amount of the other will make up for it. * 6.) Ultimately, the reservoir project will Preserve 6,400 acres of land in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, thus helping the state meet its regional preservation goals. Here's a radical thought. Protect what we already have. Add that to your "goals"! * 7.) In 1997, the Virginia Attorney General ruled that the reservoir would not violate the Treaty of 1677 with the Mattaponi Tribe. For those of you who have had the fortitude to read this far, I am going to throw an interesting piece of news your way. Remember later when you see it in the news that you saw it buried here in all these words. Virginia and Maryland are, even as you read this, in a pissing contest over a pipe out into the Potomac River. Virginia claims that the right to extend the pipe is theirs by way of a very early treaty. My, My, My! * 8.) Governor Gilmore and the Virginia Departments of Health and Environmental Quality support the project. Even the Lord Mayor of London has written Gilmore and asked that he reconsider his approval of the reservoir. * 9.) The State has approved the project and issued its permit. It's time for the Corps to do the same. The Army Corps of Engineers has no vested political or financial interest in this matter. Their sole duty is to protect the land and its Indians. * 10.) No studies have presented evidence that the Mattaponi or Pamunkey tribes' subsistence fishing may be harmed - the evidence presented does indicate that the tribes' shad fisheries will not be significantly impacted. On this I defer to the real experts, the centuries old keepers of the river and its land - the tribes' people themselves. * 11.) Potential impacts on near-by Native American tribes will be addressed. Similar issues are frequently settled in other states, particularly in the west. I can't believe these people had the nerve to say this. * 12.) The area's Native American tribes have been offered meaningful economic and cultural opportunities as mitigation for any real or perceived effects on their culture. Ah, yes, we've gone through this one before, too. All of us can attest to their affect on our cultures. * 13.) Extensive archeological studies will help write the history of King William County. Native American artifacts that are discovered will be curated and returned to the local tribes for their use in interpretive cultural displays. After all these years, they still don't get it, do they? * 14.) The long-term water supply this Project offers is essential to the continued health of the Peninsula's economy and our high Quality of life. "high Quality of life"? Super growth? Crowded schools, packed highways, dirtier air, even more polluted waterways. I, too, love Quality. * 15.) An adequate water supply is critical for redevelopment in the cities of Hampton and Newport News, as well as sustainable, managed growth in York and James City counties."redevelopment"? What's redevelopment? Are they saying they didn't get it right the first time? * 16.) Other available alternatives such as ocean water desalination are more costly, and their potential effects on the Chesapeake Bay have not been fully assessed. Operating costs could increase dramatically due to rising energy costs. The money they have spent so far just trying to steal someone else's water would have gone a long way toward exploring alternatives. * 17.) Because Southside Hampton Roads will need their current surplus of water within the next twenty years, relying on that surplus is a temporary measure at best and may induce a future crisis for the Peninsula. The Corps says this isn't so, but even so, does this give them the moral right to reach out and take someone else's resources? Please take a few moments to review the above points and to drop a note to the people below (and anyone else you can think of). This is one of the last remaining places in which we have the opportunity to "hold the line" on environmental destruction, on environment versus greed. If you know of anyone in your networking sphere who has first hand experience of what this kind of destruction can do, Please, ask them to write as well. And please know, this may not be the end of this. When Brig. Gen. Stephen Rhoades finds in "no permit" favor, Newport News will likely take the decision to court. Greedy politicians hate for 'their' little people to tell them- NO! |
| The Governor of Virginia The Honorable John Warner Governor of Virginia State Capitol, 3rd Floor Richmond, VA 23219 (804) 786-2211 | U.S. Senators from Virginia The Honorable George Allen U.S. Senate 708 Hart Senate Building Washington, DC 20510 (202) 224-4024 (202) 224-5432 fax senator_allen@allen.senate.gov | U.S. Representatives from Virginia The Honorable Thelma Drake 1123 Longworth House Office Bldg. Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4261 |
| Corps of Engineers Col. Allan B. Carroll, P.E. District Engineer Norfolk District U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Fort Norfolk, 803 Front Street Norfolk. VA 235 10- 1036 (757) 441-7601 (757) 441-7115 fax Allan.B.Carroll.COL@nao02.usace.army.mil |
The Honorable Robert C. Scott 2464 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-8351 | |
| The Honorable Edward L. Schrock 128 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-4215 | ||
| The Honorable Norman Sisisky 2371 Rayburn House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 (202) 225-6365 |
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