June 29, 2026 Editor, The News-Gazette: The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality has now responded to public comments on the permit needed by the new Washington and Lee golfing facility. There will be a hearing on their Summary and Response to Comments on Wednesday, July 8, at 6 p.m. at the Rockbridge Regional High School. This will be an opportunity to stay updated on the issues. Anyone who has submitted or made comments will be able to speak.
Still of concern are the following: The effect of increased groundwater withdrawal on neighboring wells and water flow in Woods Creek.
The need for remediation of the groundwater contamination at the golf course. Decommissioning of a well is not a solution since these contaminants remain present in the groundwater and threaten nearby wells and aquatic ecosystems.
Chemical use and the community’s unhappiness with having a chemical factory in the neighborhoods where we live and in the heart of the Woods Creek watershed.
The golf course board of managers says they have acted within the law and taken actions “that will benefit the community in an environmentally positive manner.” Is that why they cut down the riparian buffers? Is that why they sprayed glyphosate over 100 acres? Is that why stormwater from the golf course turned Woods Creek brown all the way to the Maury River on multiple occasions? Is that why they’ve never agreed to follow the Best Management Practices for Virginia Golf Courses or adopt a no or low-chemicals approach like many U.S. golf courses? A serious commitment to protecting people, the environment, and our water would require more.
DEBORAH WOODCOCK Lexington
