RADFORD, Va. (WDBJ) – Some members of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice met in our hometowns Thursday.
One of the hot topics centered around thousands of gallons of chemicals that floated away from the Radford Army Ammunition Plant during Hurricane Helene.
It’s a small group, but they have big concerns. About a dozen people met Thursday at the Radford Public Library.
Local leaders and concerned citizens alike gave presentations to the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice. Not all members of the council were able to make it in person, but they heard concerns from these people joining virtually.
The council was formed in 2019 under then-Governor Ralph Northam. They go around the Commonwealth, hearing from communities about the issues they’re facing.
“Hopefully we can be able to provide the exposure, and they will start to have technical experts or even agencies reach out and say, ‘Hey, we just found out, or we heard or now, we got some more information. Let’s continue this conversation on a local level and as well as on a state level,’” said Karen Campblin, Chair of the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice.
They heard from residents of the New River Valley and Bristol about concerns regarding a Bristol landfill, environmental justice in NRV mobile home communities and an update on the Virginia Intermont Campus Fire. One person presented research regarding water source development in Blacksburg.
But the hottest topic on the seven-hour agenda was the Radford Army Ammunition Plant.
Alyssa Carpenter is part of a group called Citizens for Arsenal Accountability.
She said they’re worried about environmental impacts from the facility, like open air burning or chemicals leaking into the New River.
Last year, 13 totes carrying about 3,600 gallons total of chemicals were washed from the facility into the river during Hurricane Helene.
“We really just want them to understand that we are, you know, sort of a disadvantaged community that needs assistance,” said Carpenter.
While the council didn’t share its own thoughts on the arsenal concerns, members said they plan to address them where possible at the state level.
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