Second Phase of the Haysi to Big A Mountain

Water Project Groundbreaking Ceremony

October 20, 2008

Bee, Virginia

   I  am pleased to return to the Bee community this afternoon to break ground on a new water system which will bring safe and reliable public water service to 43 homes in Dickenson County.  

    The project we are celebrating today is the second phase of the larger Haysi to Big A Mountain Water Project, which is being jointly undertaken by the Dickenson County Public Service Authority and the Buchanan County Public Service Authority. Once this phase and a final phase of the project are complete, approximately 275 homes in Dickenson and Buchanan Counties will for the first time have access to public water services. Today's groundbreaking marks another significant success in our ongoing work to expand Southwest Virginia's water infrastructure.

    One of my primary goals in representing Southwest Virginia is to work with our local governments to obtain federal funding for our region's water and wastewater facilities, the construction of which is an essential step in our efforts to encourage economic development throughout our region and to improve the quality of life for Southwest Virginia residents.

    Today we break ground on the second phase of the Haysi to Big A Mountain Water Project, the goal of which is to bring safe and reliable drinking water to the residents living along Route 80 from Sportsman Lake to the Bee community. Currently, the residents of this community have no access to publicly provided drinking water and depend upon wells or springs which are often unreliable.  Additionally, this project will connect to the Buchanan County Public Service Authority's current system and will greatly improve water supply to the Council area.

    The total cost of the second phase of this project is $1,149,458, which is being provided by several sources. A federal grant in the amount of $390,000 has been awarded at my urging by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's Community Development Block Grant Program. Additionally, the Virginia General Assembly is providing $635,697, and the Public Service Authorities from Dickenson and Buchanan Counties are each providing $61,881. 

    As part of the project, nearly five miles of water line will be installed along Route 80 from Sportsman Lake to the Bee Community. Additionally, one pump station will be installed. When completed, the project will provide public drinking water to 43 homes in this community.

    The project will also connect to an existing water system operated by the Buchanan County PSA, which currently serves more than 200 homes in the Council area. The connection will provide a more reliable water source for these residents.   Additionally, the connection will enable future expansions of water service in Buchanan County.

    The first phase of Haysi to Big A Mountain water project has been completed, and is providing water service to 18 homes along Route 80. The funding for the first phase was provided by the Virginia General Assembly.

    Local officials are currently seeking additional federal funds in order to construct the third phase of the project which will provide service to the Sullivan Branch and Indian Creek communities.  I am strongly supporting the applications for federal funding, and I look forward to working with local officials to enable the commencement of construction on the third phase of this project.

    In 2007, I secured nearly $2.5 million in federal funding to construct water projects in Buchanan and Dickenson Counties. This year, we have added $1.3 million to this effort, and I will continue to work with local officials in the future to secure additional federal funds so that we can continue to expand the availability of water and wastewater service for local residents.

    There are several individuals who deserve our thanks today for the efforts they have made on behalf of this project.

    I would like to recognize Senator Phillip Puckett, Delegate Bud Phillips and Delegate Dan Bowling for their outstanding leadership in representing this region in the Virginia General Assembly.  The assistance that they provided in securing funding from the General Assembly for this project was instrumental to today's success and I thank them.

          Teddy Bailey and Delano Sykes who are members of the Dickenson County Board of Supervisors and represent the community that will be served by this project, deserve our thanks for their leadership. I would also like to recognize William P. Harris who represents the Council area on the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors.   

          I would also like to thank Daman Rasnick, Chair of the Dickenson County Public Service Authority, Ron Phillips, Executive Director of the PSA, and the other Members of the Public Service Authority Board for their efforts.   Gary Prater, Chair of the Buchanan County Public Service Authority, Darrell Cantrell, Executive Director of the Buchanan County PSA and the other Members of the Buchanan County PSA Board deserve our recognition as well.

          Jim Baldwin, the Executive Director of the Cumberland Plateau Planning District Commission and his excellent staff perform outstanding work for our region and I would like to thank them for their tireless efforts.

          I also want to thank the residents of each of this community who have contacted my office as well as the Public Service Authority in order to demonstrate their support for this project.

          Finally, I want to thank my Project Manager, Derek Lyall, for his excellent work in support of the expansion of water and wastewater infrastructure across the region.

Today's announcement is an example of what can be achieved when citizens and government officials at the local, state and federal levels work together in aid of a common purpose.  For that cooperation and successful work in establishing public water service for this community, I want to commend everyone here and offer special congratulations to the residents who will be receiving the new water service.