If you thought the PSA was the only group that wanted to pump more human waste and raw sewage into Cape Charles, think again. The Joint Industrial Development Authority (JIDA) Board has come up with a design to bring raw industrial maritime sewage by launch (similar to how we now provide supply runs to ships moored outside the harbor), into town, and somehow deposit it into the Cape Charles waste water plant for processing.
Leading this effort for the JIDA is John Burdiss of Cape Charles, and Charles McSwain, Economic Development Director for Northampton County. The impetus for the plan is the fact that the Port Authority has recently restricted ship moorings on the Virginia Beach side of the CBBT, reserving those waters for Naval operations. Due to this development, there may be the possibly for an uptick in moorings outside of Cape Charles harbor. Though the JIDA has been in contact with the Virginia Maritime, as well as the Pilot’s associations, there is no confirmation of any increased traffic for Cape Charles at this time.
The JIDA, recognizing Cape Charles’ potential to absorb massive quantities of raw ship sewage, hopes to convert this potential swell of activity into local commercial gains. It is assumed that this economic impact will be realized by some entities being willing to provide pump out service to these vessels, and then ferry the waste back to Cape Charles. Given that in the past the town has been clamoring to obtain as much raw sewerage as possible, this effort, from JIDA’s perspective, appears to be a win-win for all parties.
Historical note: John Burdiss was part of the Town Council that pushed forward with the ill-fated, over-priced, oversized and underperforming Cape Charles waste water plant.
The JIDA initiative does put much of the current economic development landscape into perspective. The PSA, proposed zoning changes, and this new development from JIDA all attempt to use waste, or waste related activities as a central driver in the economic development road map. The Cape Charles waste water plant is the pivot point for all of these plans. What once may have appeared to be a series of separate, yet equally unfortunate events, viewed from on high, now appears to be part of a loosely orchestrated process. Those who witnessed just how the deal for the old Cape Charles High School went down should find all of this quite familiar.
That is not to say the waste water plant might not make money for some folks at some time in the future. Industrial maritime waste removal or even strip mall development on Route 13 can have a financial upside for entities involved in those sectors. Symbiotically, this also generates a modicum of business for the law partners that need to ensure that that their client’s contracts are cleansed and have the appearance of being above board. In this light, the context of the Cape Charles plant shifts once again—maybe it was never really meant to serve the citizens of the town, or purify the Bay, but instead serves as an agent for the industrialization and over-development of the lower Eastern Shore.
Where this will all lead is anyone’s guess, but some advice for the citizens of Cape Charles and the lower shore—you’re probably going to need bigger boots.
Mc Swain’s parting “dump” on Northampton County. Note that Bill Parr is the Chairman of the Joint Industrial Development Authority, and note also he is the Chairman of the Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee. This plan to woo industrial sewage into the county as an “action plan for economic development” is in a stinky lockstep with the rest of the “economic development plans” being promoted by County Administrator Nunez and the majority of “which way should we go and what shall we say” unfortunate excuse for a Board of Supervisors.
The latest attempt to lure waste into Northampton County is consistent with the proposed zoning fiasco, which drops to its administrative knees to beg for chicken litter and other waste incinerators, import of hazardous and medical waste, and storage and processing of every form of disgusting leavings that no other county in its right mind would want.
Frankly, this frontal assault on the citizenry and natural resources by McSwain and Nunez and their band of merry men has passed the point of believability. A small trace of light flickers at the realization that Charles McSwain has buckled his belt and left Northampton County, although the stench lingers.
I would bet PIRATE “BOB” is in on the poop plans too !
The citizens of Northampton Co. may not be aware, that the freighters at the anchorage off Cape Charles, may legally discharge sewage that has been “treated” by on-board sewage remediation systems. This may be, nothing more than removing some solids and chlorinating effluent before discharge overboard. There are parameters for fecal coliform, used as an indicator, but nutrient content is not addressed.There are no regulations covering the discharge of grey water from these vessels. Federal law covering these practices:
40 cfr part140. The Coast Guard is responsible for enforcement.
The only way to save our beaches and shellfish industry, from this looming threat, is to petition the EPA to designate these and the waters adjacent , as an official “no discharge zone”. This will require some effort, as there are only three in the sate of Virginia; Smith Mountain Lake, Middlesex, and Lynnhaven systems. We must prove the need( I suspect VIMS and VDH would provide some necessary expertise, stats and measurements) and show that there are sufficient facilities to handle the waste. The proposed marine pump and haul barge would accommodate that need, one would think.
I therefore call on the Northampton Co. Board of Supervisors to sanction and support a citizens’ petition to the EPA, to designate the new anchorage and surrounding waters, a “no discharge zone”.
I am willing to serve, if a citizens’ committee is formed for this purpose. There have been proposals in the past, to designate the entire Bay a no discharge zone, but due to shipping and other interests, this large a task is not realistic at this time.
Really?
Really? Sounds like….this needs an update!