Residents urge Rockbridge County to halt golf-course work after sediment and chemical contamination reported in Woods Creek
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Summary
Multiple residents told the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 12 that runoff from the new Lexington-area golf course has carried repeated sediment and, they say, chemical contamination into Woods Creek and downstream into the Maury River watershed; residents asked the board to require engineering controls, release private well test results and consider stopping work until remediation is in place.
Residents and water experts pressed the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors on Jan. 12 to take immediate action after three recent episodes of heavy sediment runoff from construction at the new Lexington-area golf course.
"I just urge you when ... a special exception permit comes before you in the future, please value the natural resources as much as you value what that special interest group is coming for," said Gretchen Sucow, a Lexington resident who said she emailed photos of muddy creek conditions to the board.
Neighbors described repeated mud flows into Woods Creek during ordinary rain events. "We have photographs that show how on three separate occasions, Woods Creek ran totally muddy below the golf course," said Deborah Woodcock, a Buffalo District resident, who added the project received a land-disturbance permit in early September and that her community has seen dewatering of ponds for months.
Barbara Walsh, who identified herself as a hydrogeologist, told the board that rainfall totals were not exceptional for the area and that site testing showed more than sediment concerns. "This is not just a sediment problem but a chemical contamination issue as well," Walsh said, citing test results she said show metals and PFAS compounds at the site and downstream.
Peter Donahue, the golf-course superintendent, told the board contractors monitored the site and that staff took steps "to go above and beyond what DEQ is required to ensure that ... the systems that are in place are the best systems that they can be." He said crews were on site during heavy rain, made repairs and sent documentation to county staff.
Residents and experts asked for clearer enforcement and transparency. Woodcock said private well testing required by the special-exception permit was completed for some wells but that results had not been released to well owners: "We have not received the results of that testing. It is required to be public information," she said.
County staff responded that Jonathan Griffin, the county’s stormwater administrator, has been working with the site and that some reports were already prepared; staff committed to gathering additional information and providing a formal status report to the board and public at the next meeting.
Board members asked staff to confirm whether required turbidity tests and private-well results were done and shared, whether permit conditions had been met, and whether fines or further enforcement were warranted. Chair Ayers and other supervisors said they expected a staff report and follow-up.
The board did not take enforcement action during the Jan. 12 meeting beyond directing staff to investigate and report back. The county’s next steps will include staff findings, a report to the board and, if needed, potential enforcement under the land-disturbance permit and the project’s special-exception conditions.
