Clarke County awarded grant for Camp 7

Clarke County was awarded a $317,298 Site Remediation Grant through the Virginia Brownfields Restoration and Economic Redevelopment Assistance Fund (VBAF).

The Virginia Resources Authority established the VBAF in 2011 and continues to administer it.

VBAF is a partnership between the Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).

The funding will support remediation efforts at the former Camp 7 Department of Corrections property.

These efforts include the removal of asbestos and lead paint as well as additional soil testing.

Hurt & Proffitt and Waco, Inc. were selected to carry out the work.

The Clarke County Industrial Development Authority (IDA) will continue planning for future renovations of the main prison building and the development of the 40-acre site into a light industrial business park.

The Board of Supervisors rezoned The Camp 7 property  to light industrial in November 2025 to encourage economic growth in the Double Tollgate area.

This decision aligns with the recent expansion of public sewer infrastructure.

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WCFR and U.S. Forest Service report on the Elizabeth Furnace fire

News to know valley graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Warren County Fire and Rescue (WCFR)  has been in communications with the U.S. Forest Service Wildfire Command team regarding the fire near Elizabeth Furnace.

The latest report has the fire in the George Washington National Forest contained.

The fire was contained with the help of last night and this morning’s 0.2 inches of rain 60 firefighters and a helicopter.

Where the fire did not breach the Warren County geographical boundary smoke from the fire is likely to be seen in the county for several days.

In all the fire consumed approximately 190 acres of forest land.

This is one of several fires that the Virginia Department of Forestry has been working on in the past week.

One of the worst fires was in Buchannan County at Poplar Creek where 1,400 acres burned.

Where we did receive some rain, it was only 0.2 inches, and it will take time to make a difference if it does at all.

Meanwhile the Department of Environmental Quality has extended the drought watch now to include all the Shenandoah Valley and more.

Soil moisture and groundwater levels remain low, and the extended forecast once again shows little to no precipitation expected for at least the next 14 days.

Because of the lack of precipitation outdoor fires are banned in most of Virginia until further notice.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Extreme drought declared for the entire Shenandoah Valley and beyond

The entire Shenandoah Valley is now under extreme drought conditions with portions of West Virginia at severe to extreme drought levels.

These conditions are posted by Drought.gov and calculator by the Drought Management Task Force.

The conditions are organized by the Department of Environmental Quality.

The conditions are a result of the lack of precipitation so far, in what is recorded as the driest July since 1835 when records were first taken.

Current conditions widespread crop loss can be expected, dairy farmers will struggle, and streams will be low to no flow at all.

Wildfires are at increased possibilities if dry conditions continue.

Communities across the region are asking for additional water conservation efforts from all citizens of municipal water customers.

It is recommended that well water users watch their consumption as ground water levels are well below average.

Strasburg has declared a drought emergency with mandatory restrictions in place.

Front Royal, Woodstock, and Berryville have had mandatory restrictions in place since at least mid-July.

Some communities are instituting penalties for water overuse and abuse.

Check your communities’ standards to comply with the water conservation restrictions and regulations.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Warren County Crews and DEQ contain a fuel leak

Warren County Virginia new logo used by permission by Warren County Director of Technology Todd Jones

Warren County Crews report the discovery of a fuel leak while working in the Old Oak 4 and Venus Branch project area Tuesday, February 20.

A ruptured fuel line to the large water pump used to divert the creek was the cause.

The leak was controlled immediately, and the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and Warren County Fire Rescue Services were notified.

It was determined that an estimated 50 gallons of number 2 off road fuel leaked out.

Crews were able to contain the leak to an isolated section until Millers Environmental Services arrived.

Mitigation is expected to continue over the next several days.

Warren County Authorities will continue to monitor the situation with immediate notifications as it develops and as are needed.

DEQ clean up report is found here.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Front Royal community helps restore ecosystem

The Town of Front Royal’s Environmental Sustainability Advisory Committee, local community groups, and volunteers came together to plant a 200 meter section of Happy Creek’s riparian buffer in November.

Volunteers planted 450 young seedlings of seven different varieties of native shrub species that were approved by the Department of Environmental Quality.

The section of Happy Creek between South and Short Street was selected as a high priority area due to the abundance of invasive and undesirable vegetation that had begun to take over.

ESAC member and local conservation biologist Justin Proctor spoke on the value of these native plants reminding us that they “are adapted to handle our local climate and soils… build back our beneficial insects and pollinators, provide food for wildlife… stabilize riverbanks and help clean out pollutants.”

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.

Strasburg declares a drought watch

cares act distribution

The Town of Strasburg declared a drought watch and is encouraging voluntary water conservation measures.

The low river flow levels caused the town to follow the drought response plan as outlined by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Water Supply and the Virginia Water Protection withdrawal permit issued by the Department of Environmental Quality.

All citizens including those with a private well are encouraged to reduce water consumption.

Some measures recommended include reducing or eliminating outside watering, avoiding washing cars, limiting showers to 5 to 10 minutes per person, and only running the dishwasher when its full among other water conservation methods.

There are more water saving methods found here.

Monitor the Town’s social media and website regarding the status of the drought watch.

For more news from across the Shenandoah Valley, click here.