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James City County board approves wetlands permit for Colonial Pipeline Line 27 repairs amid resident concerns
Summary
The board granted WJPA 25-0032, allowing Colonial Pipeline Company to perform repair and maintenance work at crossings 12–15 (Chickahominy River, College Creek, Halfway Creek, James River) with conditions and an expiration date; nearby residents raised questions about easement language and riparian rights that the board said are outside its wetlands jurisdiction.
The Chesapeake Bay/Wetlands board approved a wetlands permit for Colonial Pipeline Company to carry out potential inspection and repair work on Line 27 at crossings 12, 13, 14 and 15 after staff recommended approval and outlined mitigation and notification conditions.
Emily Grojean, watershed planner, presented WJPA 25-0032, saying the application covers temporary excavation areas (about 1,800 square feet at each crossing, described as roughly 30 by 60 feet) and that no permanent fill or new structures in tidal wetlands are proposed. She summarized three criteria from recent Code of Virginia guidance — alternative siting and minimization, water dependence, and demonstration of need and public/private benefits — and told the board that staff found the project meets those criteria. Grojean recommended approval with conditions including obtaining all necessary federal, state and local permits, complying with James City County floodplain regulations and…
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