Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, October 28, 1994 TAG: 9410280103
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: JAN VERTEFEUILLE STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The people spoke, briefly, and were gone in less than 30 minutes.
Environmental recommendations from the governor's blue ribbon ``strike force'' on reforming state government have been controversial statewide, but there was no evidence of that Thursday night. Several speakers praised the review process DEQ is undergoing, while others had only specific complaints about regulations that affect their businesses.
All DEQ regulations are being reviewed, under orders of Gov. George Allen, to determine if they're essential for public health, safety and welfare.
The Roanoke meeting was the second of two joint meetings by the state's air pollution, water and waste management boards in the state to hear comments about the review and get input from citizens about environmental issues.
About 50 people showed up for the meeting at the Roanoke County Administration Center, but only eight chose to speak, mostly representing industry and local government. The first meeting, held in Richmond two weeks ago, lasted about two hours.
DEQ Director Peter Schmidt said he was surprised environmentalists didn't speak up, but said many people still are digesting the information released by the strike force a few weeks ago.
"I think it's new enough at this point that people don't know what to expect, so they're window-shopping," Schmidt said. He said he expects most public reaction will be received through written comments.
Among the speakers Thursday were:
Charles Maus, who operates two public-service authorities in Radford and Pulaski, who suggested the state use more volunteer advisory groups in setting standards for staff.
"I'm not advocating the fox training the chicken coop guards, but there's a wealth of information out there" in industry, environmental groups and consultants, he said.
Orba Alderman, city engineer for Galax, who praised the public meeting, saying, "This is a great idea." He requested the state look at solid-waste issues more because "a lot of jurisdictions are in trouble with their landfills."
Julie Thomas, air-quality program manager for the Shenandoah National Park, who asked the board not to "assume that the old regulations are all bad or all good."
"As regulators, you have the opportunity of making Virginia a place people want to live ... long after you're out of office."
Roanoke businessman and Total Action Against Poverty founder Cabell Brand, who told the board that economic development and environmental quality don't have to conflict.
"I hope environmental issues are taken into account each time economic development is considered. I think it's in everybody's interest to do that."
Kit Kiser, Roanoke's director of utilities, who said he was there "trying to figure out what the procedure's going to be."
He also asked the board to keep in mind when applying regulations "what the end goal is you want us to reach, and don't back up and pick us to death on how we get there."
The board offered no feedback to speakers' suggestions, but all public comments will be published, possibly as early as next month, with DEQ responses.
by CNB