Soapstone Project: There’s Still Time To Weigh In

Problem pipes in Soapstone, in 2010.

There has been some confusion over the public comment period for the enormous Soapstone Valley sewer rehabilitation project. The National Park Service web site for the project had initially given an August deadline, then January 2014, and now an October date. Jessica Demoise, DC Water project manager and the point person for comments on this project, has clarified the public comment process.

The public comment period for this first phase, public scoping, remains open until October 31st, 2013.

NPS is currently determining whether DC Water will have to do an environmental assessment (EA) or an environmental impact statement (EIS). These reports are required under the National Environmental Policy Act. As the EA for the long overdue Broad Branch Road Reconstruction Project has demonstrated, these plans take a significant amount of time.

Once an EA or EIS is drafted, it will be made available for public comment for 60 days. At this time the date for this second phase is not certain.

DC Water wants your comments. Please send them to Jessica Demoise, [email protected].