Page County citizens gather to protect the Shenandoah River

Shenandoah River, South Fork, Luray, VirginiaPhoto byLara Ellis

LURAY, Va. – On Thursday, January 19, concerned citizens packed into a room at the Luray Fire Department to voice their concerns about a campground’s plan to release treated wastewater into the Shenandoah River.

More than 100 property owners, farmers, an elected official, and concerned citizens of all ages and backgrounds braved the cold, foggy evening hoping to preserve the health of the nationally-recognized, locally-loved body of water.

The 100-acre Luray RV Resort and Campground (Camp Luray), a division of Blue Water Development Corp. of Ocean City, Maryland, is scheduled to open on June 15, 2023.

The campground will have cabins, primitive camping sites, and RV hookup sites. As noted in their Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) permit application, they are also planning to release treated sewage at a rate of 0.05 million gallons per day into Page County’s South Fork of the Shenandoah River.

Camp Luray is currently operating under the existing wastewater permit originally granted to the former (and smaller) Outlanders River Camp. According to a public notice printed in the December 22 edition of the Page News and Courier, the DEQ stated that the environmental permit, if granted, would limit specific pollutants to amounts that protect water quality. At Thursdays meeting, however, local residents expressed concerns about what additional pollutants (even treated) would mean for the health of the already compromised Shenandoah River.

In an informal question and answer session led by DEQ representatives, and primarily moderated by Water Permitting and Compliance Manager, Brandon Kiracofe, the session was immediately opened to questions.

One by one, residents asked for clarification about the type and amount of wastewater pollutants that would be released into the water. Other questions included those about what would happen in flooding or low-water scenarios, how often testing and reporting will be done, and the environmental compliance record of the other properties of the owners of Camp Luray. Several sought assurance that the DEQ has residents’ best interests at hand.

Kiracofe often responded with scientific-based answers and terms with which the average person might be unfamiliar, but each response brought at least a few confused murmurs from the crowd.

Within 30 minutes of the meeting’s start, many citizens were already shaking their heads. Several in the group questioned why Camp Luray would pour a substantial amount of money into a large campground’s development without knowing whether it would be granted a DEQ permit needed to operate.

Residents spoke of their love of the river – and how additional pollutants would possibly affect their homes, their businesses, their recreational opportunities and even future generations. More than one resident referenced once being able to harvest fish from the river, but no longer feeling safe to do so due to the existing water quality.

Additional murmurs in the crowd indicated a desire to just skip ahead to the request for a public hearing. A petition of sorts was making its way around the room, row by row. But it was then that many learned the request would entail more than attending the meeting or even submitting protests via email.

A portion of the DEQ public notice, as printed in the December 22, 2023 edition of the Page News and CourierPhoto byTracy Leicher

DEQ Regional Manager Tiffany Severs advised the crowd that merely voicing concern (even in writing) is not considered legitimate opposition to the permit request.

Attendees were advised:

1. Requests for public hearings shall state the reason why a hearing is requested;

2. The nature of the issues proposed to be raised in the public hearing and;

3. And a brief explanation of how the requester's interests would be directly and adversely affected by the proposed permit action.

At the meeting, several individuals expressed concern that the permit would be granted with or without public approval. Some, remarking that they’d heard enough, left early.

The public comment period (to request a hearing) began on December 22, 2022 and requires a minimum of 25 written “public comments.” These comments were due by 11:59 p.m. on January 23, 2023.

In a written statement, local resident Cathy Herbert said, “Sadly, the issues raised at the meeting should have been raised before the project was approved by the Board of Supervisors. People need to be very active at that stage -- when it is possible to really make a difference.”

She went on to say, “The county suffers because the planning commission, while doing a great job, is understaffed, with just five members, when there should be 10. The BOS and county administrator need to fix this.”

Luray’s newest town council member, Alex White, added, “I would encourage people to put the pressure on their politicians and legislators, because environmental issues always take the back seat, and suddenly it’s, ‘Where did this come from?’”

Whether residents will be granted an official public hearing on this matter is something DEQ staffers will determine and communicate within 30 days of the January 23 comment closing date. Those who submitted written comments via email or postal mail will be notified in writing.

Near the end of Thursday’s meeting, White stood and addressed the DEQ representatives, asking the simple question, “Would you eat a fish out of the Shenandoah River?”

All eyes in the crowd quickly shifted from White, to the front of the room, where DEQ representatives stood.

After a brief moment, one representative replied, “We’re not going to get into that.”