August 2008
August 29, 2008
CONTACT: Kristy Marshall, Public Utilities Community Liaison
PHONE: 501-7540
The recent wet weather pattern has caused water levels in the James River to increase significantly. In response to these water levels, the Henrico County Department of Public Utilities is alerting all Henrico County water customers that the mandatory water conservation measures previously issued on August 21 are lifted as of today, August 29.
Voluntary water restriction measures are now in effect. The chart below outlines the categories included in the voluntary water conservation measures:
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CATEGORY |
CONSERVATION MEASURE |
|---|---|
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Established Lawns, Landscape & Gardens |
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New Lawns & Landscape |
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Vegetable Gardens |
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| Paved Areas/Washing (Streets, Drives, Patios, Walks, etc.) |
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| Vehicle Washing (Commercial Businesses Exempt) |
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| Golf Courses (Greens Exempt) |
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| Swimming Pools |
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| Fountains |
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| Businesses |
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| Restaurants |
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| All Other Consumption Uses |
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August 27, 2008
CONTACT: Steve Yob Director, Solid Waste and Recycling Division
PHONE: 727-8217
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved a Henrico County plan for managing disaster-related debris, making the county eligible for additional federal funding following a disaster. Henrico is one of only seven localities in Virginia to have its plan approved by the federal agency.
FEMA determined the Henrico County Debris Management Plan meets the requirements of its Public Assistance Pilot Program (PAPP), which is designed to encourage communities to plan for a debris-generating disaster. Debris includes vegetative waste as well as materials from eligible structures; a disaster may be a natural or man-made event.
The Henrico plan establishes temporary and permanent debris-disposal sites, estimates the volume of debris produced by different disaster events and sets a debris-management structure. It also includes information about contractors the county positions prior to a disaster to help monitor and recover from the event.
FEMA approval of the debris management plan means the county can receive an additional 5 percent federal reimbursement -- up to 80 percent -- of disaster debris costs. By participating in PAPP, Henrico can receive additional benefits including reimbursement for regular salaries as well as overtime salaries for debris-related activities, and can keep revenue from the sale of disaster debris for recycling. Henrico also can expedite recovery costs from FEMA and can expect lower debris-removal costs following a disaster.
Several county agencies helped develop the plan, including Public Utilities, Public Works, Recreation and Parks, Finance and Fire.
August 26, 2008
CONTACT: Teddy Martin Extension Technician
PHONE: 501-5160
The Henrico County Extension Office will continue its lawn care seminar series Sept. 9-11 with a program on fall and winter lawn care. The seminar is scheduled for 7-8:30 p.m. each night at the following locations: Tuesday, Sept. 9, North Park Branch Library, 8508 Franconia Road; Wednesday, Sept. 10, Tuckahoe Area Library, 1901 Starling Drive; and Thursday, Sept. 11, Gayton Branch Library, 10600 Gayton Road.
"Winterizing Your Lawn" will discuss measures that can be taken in the fall to help lawns survive the winter and get ready for a healthy spring. Participants will learn about aerating, seeding, applying lime and other topics.
The lawn care seminar series is free and open to the public; however, participants should pre-register. Contact the Henrico Extension Office at 501-5160 to register or to obtain additional information.
August 25, 2008
CONTACT: Veta Herbaugh, Executive Assistant Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4208
The next town meeting of Varina District Supervisor Jim Donati will examine the Draft 2026 Comprehensive Plan and how it relates to Varina and eastern Henrico. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 15, at the Henrico Theatre, 305 E. Nine Mile Road.
Greg Dale, principal with the consulting firm McBride Dale Clarion, will join Donati and representatives from Henrico's Planning Department to explain the 2026 Comprehensive Plan, a key planning document that will guide the county's growth over the next two decades. The meeting also will feature a series of small working-group discussions regarding ongoing and future planning efforts for Varina. There will be a question-and-answer period as well.
Donati's town meetings are open to the public. Call 501-4208 for more information.
August 22, 2008
CONTACT: Mike Jennings, Traffic Engineer
PHONE: 501-4397
In preparation for the upcoming Emerson Radio 250 and Chevy Rock & Roll 400 NASCAR events at Richmond International Raceway (RIR), the Henrico County Department of Public Works will modify traffic patterns on major routes to the raceway on Friday, Sept. 5 and Saturday, Sept. 6. The temporary changes should help minimize traffic congestion during the races.
Motorists should expect extremely heavy traffic and delays all day Friday and Saturday in the raceway area, especially from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. before the races and from 10:15 p.m. to 2:30 a.m. after the races.
The Henrico Division of Police will have officers on duty to direct traffic around the area before and after the races. Police encourage race fans and other motorists to consult message boards on interstate highways and roadways approaching RIR for traffic information. WRVA 1140 AM will broadcast traffic reports as well.
The following traffic patterns will be in effect Sept. 6 during peak hours:
* Carolina Avenue between Laburnum and Azalea avenues will be one-way inbound before the race and one-way outbound after the race. Access to businesses along Carolina Avenue will be maintained from Laburnum Avenue.
* Meadowbridge Road between the Henrico/Hanover county line and Azalea Avenue will be one-way southbound beginning at approximately 9 a.m. and continuing until the race starts.
* Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will close to northbound traffic; however, in Hanover County it will remain a two-way road at all times.
* After the race, Laburnum Avenue between Carolina Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike will be one-way eastbound. Two-way traffic will be maintained westbound from Carolina Avenue.
* After the race, Meadowbridge Road north of Azalea Avenue will be one-way northbound between Azalea Avenue and Atlee Road, beginning at
approximately 10 p.m. and continuing until race traffic is dispersed.
* After the race, three lanes on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School will be routed westbound and one lane eastbound. This change will require all median crossovers on Azalea Avenue between Richmond-Henrico Turnpike and Henrico High School to close at approximately 10 p.m. until race traffic is dispersed. Police will assist motorists turning from Azalea Avenue to Thrush Lane and Pony Farm Drive.
While these traffic patterns are in effect, median crossovers on Laburnum Avenue will be closed between North Avenue and Mechanicsville Turnpike, except at Pilots Lane and Austin Avenue. Only right turns will be permitted to and from Laburnum Avenue. Police will be positioned at these intersections before and after the race to assist motorists turning onto or crossing Laburnum Avenue.
On-street parking on major routes to RIR is prohibited each day. Additional parking will be available Saturday, Sept. 6 at the Richmond Coliseum parking deck on North Seventh Street, at a cost of $6. Free shuttle bus service to and from RIR will be provided beginning at 1 p.m. Parking also will be available at the Showplace on Mechanicsville Turnpike beginning at 11 a.m., $5 per car and $25 per recreational vehicle; free shuttle bus service to RIR will be provided beginning at noon.
The Henrico Division of Police has recommended the following routes for traffic approaching the raceway Sept. 5-6:
* From the east (Hampton Roads area) -- Follow Interstate 64 west to Interstate 295 north (Exit 200). Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike west (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the east (Route 360) - Approach Richmond on Route 360 west (Mechanicsville Turnpike), cross Interstate 295, and continue west to
Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the east (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 west and take the Laburnum Avenue exit (Exit 195). Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the north - Follow Interstate 95 south to the Interstate 295 east interchange (marked "To Norfolk - Williamsburg"). Follow Interstate 295 east and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road (Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.
* From the north (local traffic) - Use Route 1 (Brook Road) to Azalea Avenue. Turn left onto Azalea Avenue and proceed to the raceway.
* From the west - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Interstate 295 south
interchange (Exit 177). Follow Interstate 295 south and exit onto Meadowbridge Road west (Exit 38B). Follow Meadowbridge Road
(Richmond-Henrico Turnpike) and proceed to the raceway.
* From the west (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 64 east to the Powhite Parkway/Laburnum Avenue exit. Take the Laburnum Avenue exit, turn left and proceed to the raceway.
* From the south - Follow Interstate 95 north to the interchange with Interstate 295 south of Petersburg. Follow Interstate 295 north and exit onto Mechanicsville Turnpike (Exit 37B). Follow Mechanicsville Turnpike to Laburnum Avenue. Turn right and proceed to the raceway.
* From the south (local traffic) - Follow Interstate 95 north to the Interstate 64 east interchange (Exit 75). Follow Interstate 64 to Route 360 east (Mechanicsville Turnpike). Follow Route 360 east to Laburnum Avenue. Turn left and proceed to the raceway
August 21, 2008
CONTACT: Arthur D. Petrini, P.E., Director of Public Utilities
PHONE: 501-4280
The recent dry weather pattern has caused low water levels in the James River. In response, Henrico County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett, P.E. has announced the implementation of mandatory water restrictions for all Henrico public water customers, effective today, August 21, 2008. Goochland County water customers served by the Henrico public water system also are under mandatory water restrictions.
Compliance with the measures will help Henrico County provide water to all of their customers while also meeting the permit requirements from the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality.
"Henrico County is concerned about the low water levels in the James River," Hazelett said. "We want to do our part in being good stewards of the environment by declaring mandatory water conservation."
HENRICO COUNTY MANDATORY WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES
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CATEGORY |
MANDATORY CONSERVATION MEASURE |
|---|---|
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Fountains |
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Paved areas |
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Swimming pools |
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August 14, 2008
CONTACT: Kristy Marshall
PHONE: 501-7540
The Henrico County Department of Public Utilities' Water Reclamation Facility (WRF) has received a Gold Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) for its outstanding compliance record.
Henrico's Water Reclamation Facility earned the award for maintaining 100 percent compliance with its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit in calendar year 2007, meaning WRF committed no permit violations over the course of the year. NACWA saluted the Henrico facility as an "outstanding example of environmental efforts."
The WRF, a multistage advanced activated sludge treatment plant, operates at high levels of nutrient removal. The facility, which experienced an average flow of 41.5 million gallons per day in 2007, is part of a waterworks system that serves 92,000 residential and commercial customers.
"This award represents Henrico's commitment to use environmentally sound practices as we produce the best water in the region for our residents and customers," said Public Utilities Director Arthur D. Petrini. "It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our staff."
NACWA represents the interests of public water treatment agencies at the federal level, helps develop environmental legislation and works closely with federal regulatory agencies in the implementation of environmental programs.
For more information, log on to www.co.henrico.va.us/utility/.
August 13, 2008
CONTACT: Barry Lawrence, Clerk, Board of Supervisors
PHONE: 501-4318
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors will not hold a second meeting in August. The board will reconvene on Tuesday, Sept. 9.
The Henrico County Board of Supervisors regularly meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month in the Government Center Board Room, 4301 E. Parham Road. Call 501-4318 for more information.