CC Board of Supervisors votes to oppose transmission line

Experience Clarke County is used by permission by Clarke County Government

The Clarke County Board of Supervisors has unanimously voted to formally oppose the proposed Valley North Transmission Line Project.

The project calls for a roughly 260-mile, 765-kilovolt transmission line running from Putnam County, West Virginia, to Frederick, Maryland.

Three of the four proposed routes leaving Frederick County, Virginia, would cross properties in Clarke County.

The project would require an estimated 200-foot-wide rightof-way, with transmission towers standing between 150 and 170 feet tall.

County officials say the electricity would primarily serve areas east of Clarke County.

The Board of Supervisors joins several other county groups in opposing the project.

The Parks and Recreation Advisory Board recently passed a resolution against a route through Chet Hobert Park.

The Planning Commission also opposed the proposed routes, citing conflicts with the county’s Comprehensive Plan.

The Conservation Easement Authority has raised concerns about impacts to protected properties.

The Board’s resolution cites potential effects on conservation easements, agricultural and forestal districts, rural historic districts, prime farmland, county parkland and groundwater resources.

Supervisors also expressed concerns about the project’s potential impact on Clarke County’s rural character, agricultural industry and preserved woodlands.

As part of its opposition, the Board unanimously approved a $500,000 legal contingency fund and authorized the county administrator and county attorney to hire outside legal counsel to challenge the project.

State lawmakers, including Delegates Delores Oates and Bill Wiley and Senator Timmy French, have also publicly opposed the proposed transmission line.

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

Ground water levels continue to fall

Graphic created by Royal Broadcasting employee Brooke Greene used by permission

Recent monitoring shows groundwater levels in the Shenandoah Valley continue to fall, raising concerns for residents, farmers, and water users across the region.

Despite snow and sleet from Winter Storm Fern, groundwater hasn’t seen a significant rebound, and water tables remain lower than expected for this time of year.

The US Geological Survey reports say the storm’s moisture hasn’t yet made its way into the aquifer below.

This follows earlier reports that groundwater had dropped several feet, placing levels near some of the lowest in more than a decade and impacting stream flows across the valley.

Officials remind residents that continued monitoring and water conservation efforts will be important as conditions evolve.

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

Drought warning remains in effect

Although Tropical Storm Debby brought some much-needed rain to Clarke County, offering temporary relief to lawns and streams, the drought warning remains in effect.

Groundwater levels in the county continue to be notably low, as revealed by well gauges.

According to a USGS study, only one inch of every three inches of precipitation effectively replenishes the water table.

Current conditions still fall short of normal groundwater levels, meaning the drought warning advisory is still in place.

Residents are encouraged to practice voluntary water conservation, particularly those dependent on private wells.

It’s crucial to understand that one rainfall event does not resolve drought conditions; sustained precipitation over the fall and winter is necessary to significantly impact groundwater supplies.

For the latest updates from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality’s Drought
Monitoring Task Force, visit this link.

For detailed information on groundwater levels and trends, go to this link.

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

River Report: 6-26-23

In this edition of the Shenandoah River Report, Mark has an update on improving river conditions, and talks about groundwater. Brought to you by Front Royal Outdoors. Visit them at  https://frontroyaloutdoors.com and plan some July 4th weekend fun with Don Roberts and his crew!