Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: TUESDAY, May 8, 1990 TAG: 9005080466
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B1 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: MADELYN ROSENBERG NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: NEWBERN LENGTH: Medium
They showed photographs of rusty-red water that's been found in the lake and Peak Creek. They showed water samples from the lake and a bucket of rustlike debris that had been scraped off the bottom of a boat docked at a local marina.
And they talked about the pollution that prompted almost 200 people to turn out for this meeting at the Newbern Community Center.
"All of us know the problem is there. Now what are we going to do about it?" asked Clarke Cunningham, chairman of the informal gathering. He didn't have a microphone and he didn't need one.
"This is a fact-finding meeting," Cunningham said. "I don't have the answers. I just got sick of reading about these things [pollution] and seeing it."
Cunningham said trash also is polluting the lake and users and residents need to form an organization to help stop it.
So someone made the motion that a Claytor Lake Association be formed and about two dozen people seconded it. The motion passed.
Then residents started asking questions. A few who couldn't fit into the crowded room spoke through the open windows.
"I think we should all get together and ask the state, `Why is it red in front of my house,' " said Doug McPeake, who lives at the lake. "Let's stand and ask the state, `Why don't they do something about it?' "
The state Water Control Board has been investigating pollution problems in Peak Creek and at the lake. Officials have blamed most of the problem on heavy metals leaching into the creek from the old Allied Chemical plant site. The red color has been attributed to iron. Lead, zinc and selenium also have been found.
Downtown East Inc., the limited partnership that now owns the Allied property, was supposed to have stopped the runoff by April 30, but state officials say nothing has been done so far.
Biologists from the board recently took fish samples from the creek. They expect the results this week and will turn them over to Health Department officials, who will determine if it's harmful to eat the fish.
No state officials were present at the meeting.
"I think we should write the board tomorrow and tell just how many people were here," said Cherokee Cook, another lake resident. "We need to put it in the mail tomorrow and tell them we want some action. Let's don't wait. Let's do it."
Cunningham said he would draft the letter.
Another woman suggested tying ribbons around trees or docks to protest the pollution.
"How about a red ribbon?" called one resident.
And another yelled, "How about rust?"
Two fishermen in the room reported seeing two dead snapping turtles and four dead fish near the dam. There have been no fish kills reported officially.
Water Control Board reports of metals in the creek show the problem has occurred on and off for 10 years, and Cunningham said he doesn't want to create a panic.
"I'm not afraid to swim in the lake. I'm not afraid to eat fish from the lake. I'm just afraid it's going to keep going on."
Richard Johnson, superintendent of Claytor Lake State Park, said he, too, is concerned. "The recreation area hinges and revolves around the lake," he said.
He urged residents to help with an annual lake cleanup sponsored by the park and a local fishing club.
As the meeting ended, a few residents in the mostly white-collar crowd suggested kicking in a few dollars so the association could get better organized. Someone passed around a cookie jar.
By the end of the evening it was filled to the brim. The count was almost $400.
by CNB