This exhibit in Hungry Mother State Park's Discovery Center features monarch artwork created by students at Marion Elementary School.
This exhibit in Hungry Mother State Park's Discovery Center features monarch artwork created by students at Marion Elementary School.
On Sept. 23, the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) released an updated draft of its Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo to further environmental justice and enhance public participation in the permitting process. The updated draft guidance is now open for an informal public comment period. DEQ is inviting the public to provide written feedback from now through 11:59 p.m. on Oct. 23 for DEQ’s review and consideration.
According to the Virginia Environmental Justice Act, environmental justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of every person, regardless of race, color, national origin, income, faith, or disability, regarding the development, implementation, or enforcement of any environmental law, regulation, or policy.
In April, Gov. Abigail Spanberger signed into law House Bill (HB) 1266, which directs DEQ to publish an updated version of the 2023 draft Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance Memo for public comment, and issue the final guidance no later than Dec. 31. The law requires the updated guidance to consider how to assess the cumulative impacts of certain DEQ permits and to consider outreach strategies to engage communities impacted by any such permit.
The purpose of this new draft guidance is to inform the public, permit applicants, and DEQ staff of:
• DEQ’s tools and resources for identifying environmental justice communities and whether Projects of Concern, which are defined in the guidance, are located within an environmental justice community.
• Ways to assess the cumulative impacts of certain Projects of Concern and mitigate them, if needed.
• Outreach strategies to engage communities that may be impacted by Projects of Concern.
“The public's feedback on this draft guidance will help DEQ and permit applicants better understand—and implement—practices to more effectively involve communities in environmental decision-making,” said DEQ Director Mike Rolband. “We want to make sure everyone that wants to be involved in agency processes will be heard.”
The public is invited to share feedback on DEQ’s draft guidance by submitting comments:
• In writing to ejcomments@deq.virginia.gov;
• Via the public comment form on DEQ’s Environmental Justice in the Permitting Process Guidance webpage;
• Or via postal mail to: Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, Attn: Kate Miller, Office of Environmental Justice, 901 Russell Dr., Salem, VA 24153.
DEQ will review and consider all comments received before finalizing the guidance later this year. Additional information, including the draft guidance, is available on DEQ’s website.
The Saltville community is mourning the loss of a young woman to a fatal vehicle crash.
Funeral services were held Thursday, Oct. 1, for Chandra M. Allison, who died from injuries sustained in a Saturday, Sept. 26, single-vehicle wreck.
According to the Virginia State Police, the crash occurred at 6:58 a.m. on Saltville Highway.
The VSP said that Allison’s 2019 Volkswagen Jetta was travelling southbound on Saltville Highway, one mile north of Possum Hollow Road, when it went off the right side of the road and struck a rock embankment. The vehicle then overturned twice and came to rest in the northbound lanes.
The VSP said that Allison, 26, of Saltville, was ejected. She suffered serious injuries and was transported to an area hospital, where she succumbed to those injuries. She was not wearing a seatbelt.
The crash remains under investigation.
According to her obituary, Allison is survived by her sister, Rhianna Allison; brother, Dillan Allison; husband, Charles Ayers; grandmother, Sheila Allison; niece and nephews, Brayven, Estella, and Ronin; and numerous friends.
A GoFundMe account was established to help cover the funeral’s costs. It reads: “Hi guys. I’m creating this gofundme to help support Chandra’s family be able to give her a proper goodbye. With her passing being super unexpected there was no financial plans put into place. If you can’t donate, please share. Please also keep her family and friends in your thoughts and/or prayers as they move forward.”
The blaze that claimed a life in a Marion home rekindled later Thursday morning, bringing fire crews back to the scene. Earlier in the morning they'd been on the scene for six hours fighting the fire.
The blaze that claimed a life in a Marion home rekindled later Thursday morning, bringing fire crews back to the scene. Earlier in the morning they'd been on the scene for six hours fighting the fire.
Wednesday evening, Hank Carneal addressed the Saltville Town Council, sharing what he believed he could offer the council and community.
Wednesday evening, Hank Carneal addressed the Saltville Town Council, sharing what he believed he could offer the council and community.
These monarchs were among those raised by Ellen Reynolds for the group at Hungry Mother to release. The morning was cool and the butterflies were slow to get moving.
These monarchs were among those raised by Ellen Reynolds for the group at Hungry Mother to release. The morning was cool and the butterflies were slow to get moving.
This woman enjoys her visit from a monarch.
This woman enjoys her visit from a monarch.
