$11 Million In Water Resource Projects Headed To Southside VA

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will award $11 million in contracts through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act for 15 water resource projects at the John H. Kerr Reservoir in Boydton and Philpott Reservoir near Martinsville, area Congressmen announced this week.

The projects are designed to restore shorelines, rehabilitate recreation and campground facilities, and hire additional staff to provide visitor assistance during the peak season. Selection criteria required that projects be executed quickly and result in high, immediate employment. Funding is dedicated to complete an ongoing project or an element/phase of an ongoing project.

“The $11-million investment announced will provide much-needed maintenance and modernization to Southside’s major water resources and stimulate economic growth at a time when Virginia’s communities need it most,” said Senator Jim Webb.

“I am happy to see these stimulus dollars being used to make smart investments in Southside,” Senator Mark Warner said. “These projects will create jobs in the near term and help diversify Henry County’s economic opportunities over the longer term.”

“The allocation of $3.75 million in Recovery Act funding for Philpott Reservoir will provide a great economic benefit to Henry County,” said Congressman Rick Boucher.

“Since 2004, I have worked with the Army Corps of Engineers and Henry County officials to identify funding opportunities for a wastewater system to serve Philpott Lake. The new wastewater system is necessary for the potential development of a Marina in Henry County which would provide additional recreational opportunities for area residents and would greatly enhance the County’s tourism economy. The Recovery Act funding announced today is a significant step toward developing the Marina and will provide a long-term foundation for future economic growth in Henry County.”

"We're really excited to have helped secure these projects to increase tourism and spark economic development in our communities in Southside. This is why I supported the recovery act: to create jobs now while investing in our future competitive advantage,” said Congressman Tom Perriello.

The following is a project breakdown:

John H. Kerr Reservoir and Lake, Boydton, received $7,250,000.

• $1,500,000 to perform shoreline stabilization and land acquisition of highly eroded areas. The John H. Kerr shoreline is suffering from severe erosion and some areas of the reservoir have eroded onto private property. The contract will ensure availability of flood pool storage and prevent additional loss of public lands and private property.

• $200,000 to hire additional temporary ranger employees and term employees to provide additional visitor assistance during the peak recreation season, which will improve public safety and security for the visiting public.

• $750,000 to rehabilitate recreation and campground facilities at North Bend Park inclusive of campsites, roadways and restrooms. Contract will repair deteriorated public park facilities and correct non-compliance with modern design standards inclusive of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Activity will also reduce future maintenance costs.

• $1,000,000 to repave entrance roads and parking lots for four recreation areas. Contract will repair deteriorated park roadways, improve and maintain access and ensure safe entrance and exit from the facility.

• $400,000 to update master plan and shoreline management plan which was last updated in 1980. Contract will initiate revisions to comprehensive planning documents that guide limited development and land use allocations on over 50 thousand acres of public lands. Will provide funding to conduct necessary NEPA documentation and current opportunity for public input into the planning process.

• $2,100,000 to conduct characterization and remediation of hazardous waste sites. Contract will thoroughly evaluate extent of environmental contamination and provide necessary remediation to known DDT and dioxin sites at John H. Kerr Reservoir improving environmental health and employee safety in operational areas.

• $1,200,000 to rehabilitate recreational and campground facilities at North Bend Park. This activity will provide additional funds for continued renovations at the Wilmington districts largest Corps-operated recreation area. Contract will repair deteriorated park facilities and correct non-compliance with modern design standards and the American with Disabilities Act.

• $100,000 to update natural and cultural resources data for geographic information system (GIS) database including level one inventory data. Contract will provide critical data to enhance Corps and state partner management of natural resources of nearly 50,000 acres of public lands.
Philpott Reservoir and Lake, near Martinsville, received $3,750,000.

• $150,000 to develop plans and specifications using architectural and engineering services contract to replace critical equipment the powerhouse headgate machinery and controls supporting a 14,000 kilowatts powerhouse.

• $300,000 to prepare plans and specifications using archeological and engineering services contract for the rewind of electric generators and replace the hydraulic turbines to increase capacity at the 14,000 kilowatts powerhouse.

• $150,000 to hire additional temporary ranger employees and term employees to provide additional visitor assistance during the peak recreation season, which will improve public safety and security.

• $200,000 to develop plans and to repair the 50 ton overhead bridge crane in powerhouse supporting a 14,000 kilowatts powerhouse and preventing failure of the dam. The plant goal is to maintain 90 percent availability of operation without a major failure of equipment.

• $750,000 to repair recreational facilities at Horseshoe Point and Salt House Branch Parks. This activity will repair deteriorated public park facilities and correct non-compliance with modern design standards and the Americans with Disabilities Act, increasing visitor satisfaction and reducing future maintenance costs.

• $1,000,000 to repair a bridge crane that has failed once and reached end of life for critical lifts. Contract to rebuild crane controls, motors, and cables supporting a 14,000 kilowatts powerhouse.

• $1,200,000 to construct sewer line to connect Philpott Park to Henry County system. Contract will connect administrative public recreation facilities and powerhouse to municipal sewer, eliminating the need for maintenance of 50 year plus septic systems.

http://www.gazettevirginian.com/news/news/state-news/582-11-million-in-water-resource-projects-headed-to-southside.html