Queens Lake residents tell board collaborative agreement and state grant will fund dam, spillway repairs

Sean Askew, president of the Queens Lake Community Association, spoke during public comments on March 18 to summarize a multi‑party agreement with York County and to ask the board to continue collaborative work on stormwater remediation.

Askew said the community’s special committee negotiated an agreement with county staff and attorneys that expanded a FY24 CIP project to include repairs to the Queens Lake dam and spillway stabilization. He told the board the community has committed about $110,000 in capital outlay and agreed to an annual maintenance payment of $20,000 for 20 years; the community has already spent roughly $170,000 on engineering, wetland credits and consultant fees that the county may use. Askew also said community leaders secured a $1,000,000 state grant from the Virginia Stormwater Local Assistance Fund to help mitigate damage exacerbated by runoff from I‑64 and other external drainage sources.

Askew said historic county stormwater plans identified Queens Lake as a natural channel for the Bruton District basin and that runoff from outside the neighborhood has contributed significantly to siltation and impacts on private property. He said the community has engaged with federal and state representatives, including the US Army Corps of Engineers and Congressman Whittman’s office, and that county staff (he named Mr. Krieger and Mr. Brogan) are collaborating on opportunities for additional funding.

The matter was presented during public comments; no formal board action on a specific motion was taken during the March 18 meeting. Askew asked the board to continue to work with the community on implementation and grant opportunities.