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2 <br /> <br /> Mr. Jennifer Whitaker of RWSA, said that to build the dam any higher than it is <br />now will require an entirely new dam structure to be built with the total height in mind. <br /> <br /> Ms. Sally Thomas, member of the Board of Supervisors, said that unless we think <br />we are going to abandon Ragged Mountain we are going to have to do something with it. <br />She asked if it would work if we decided to built the dam 13 feet or higher by July 1. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch asked if the dam could be built right to 13 feet if we set the level <br />where it is now. Mr. Lynch noted that the $15 million bond has already been approved <br />for these improvements, and he asked if these could be done now and the pipeline done at <br />a later date. <br /> <br /> Mr. Aaron Keno, consultant for RWSA, said that the earliest work could begin <br />would be next year or the next if a decision is made quickly. Regarding the practicality <br />of phasing, he said if we design and construct for 13 feet we will not be able to build on <br />for future expansion. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ellis said that studies must first be completed, then the regulators have to <br />agree that requirements are satisfied, then comes the design and construction process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Parker asked if a 50 year plan is necessary, and Mr. Ellis said yes, the <br />regulators want to see a long-term perspective. <br /> <br /> Dr. Brown said there appears to be a disconnect between the dam safety issue and <br />the water supply issue, and asked if the regulators could say that is not the least <br />environmentally sensitive alternative and we could not do it. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ellis said that is theoretically possible. He said when the studies are finished <br />he hopes the best alternatives are chosen. <br /> <br /> Mr. Rooker said that if the four feet crest or dredging the reservoir are not likely <br />to be approved, this reduces the alternatives. <br /> <br /> Ms. Thomas said she has been encouraged by discussions she has had with <br />Environmental Protection Agency policy staff about the desire to maintain our existing <br />infrastructures. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lynch said that given that EPA has identified that, and given that there is <br />local environmental support for raising the crest and dredging and raising the Ragged <br />Mountain dam to 13 feet which accomplishes two-thirds of the need, and given that the <br />rate structure is in place to accomplish this, he asked what plans there are to convince the <br />regulators that these are the most feasible, non-damaging alternatives. He said the <br />regulators may take into account that while we are damaging the existing wetlands, we <br />would be creating new ones. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ellis said that if he is advised by RWSA to do this, he will do the best job to <br />do it, but in his judgment he does not think that the regulators will agree. <br /> <br /> Mr. Keno said there are other impacts that have been identified, but the wetland <br />issues are critical. <br /> <br /> Mr. Lindsay Dorrier, member of the Board of Supervisors, said there is concern <br />from Scottsville residents about the alternative to build a pipeline to the James River. He <br />asked what the reason is for considering this, and if it is being considered seriously. He <br />asked if we are looking at this as a regional approach. <br /> <br /> Mr. Ellis said it is being considered because State law requires that we have to <br />examine a broad range of alternatives to have a successful permitting process. <br /> <br /> Mr. Frederick said that it is being considered regionally, and if it moves forward <br />as an alternative, more specific routing studies would be needed and it would take <br /> <br /> <br />