Friends of Dragon Run
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​Current Challenges

Data Centers, Solar Farms, and Forever Chemicals
Data Centers
  • **NEW:​ WHRO -Rappahannock Tribe says state agencies did not consult over potential harm to its namesake river.
        - This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio
  • JLARC - Joint Legislative Audit & Review Commission ​
  • Here's What Happens When Big Data Takes Over a Small Town - Sierra Club 9/12/24
  • ​Officials Should Protect Chesapeake from Data Center Noise
  • I Live 400 Yards from Mark Zuckerburg's Massive Data Center
  • ​WHRO - Community Pushback
  • Bay Journal July 2025: “The Price of AI: As data centers multiply in the Chesapeake region, water use increases too”
  • Bay Journal September 2025: The Price of AI: As data centers multiply in the Chesapeake Bay region, water consumption and energy demands increase too
Solar Farms
  • ECCA Regarding Solar Farms
Forever Chemicals in Sludge Fertilizer
  • Bay Journal May 2025 “‘Forever chemicals’ in sludge fertilizer resisted in Virginia, Maryland”
  • Virginia Mercury Sept 2024 “Is sewage sludge laced with ‘forever chemicals’ contaminating Va. farmland? No one’s testing it.”
  • Virginia Conservation Network Nov 2024 “How Toxic Sewage Sludge Hurts Virginia Farms.”
  • ABC News 4, Sept 2025 “Sludge with forever chemicals spread on US farms threatens food supply, livelihoods.”​

PFAS

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Tracking "Forever Chemicals" in Our Waters
In 2022, Waterkeeper Alliance launched a sweeping investigation into PFAS contamination also known as toxic "forever chemicals" linked to cancer and other serious health risks. Phase I revealed alarming levels in 83% of U.S. waterways tested, including every single sample in the Chesapeake Bay region. Now Phase II digs even deeper. With expanded testing near wastewater treatment plants and farmland treated with biosolids, the results are just as concerning and highlight growing threats to drinking water and public health. Local Waterkeepers are leading the charge to uncover the truth and push for solutions. Click here to read our blog on the report!

Biosolids and PFAS Update January 2026 by Meo Curtis and Jeff Deschamps

The October issue of the Dragon Run Bulletin identified concerns about per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids and their possible runoff or groundwater flow into the Dragon Run. PFAS are man-made compounds that repel dirt, water, and oil which have many potential adverse human health and aquatic life impacts.  PFAS are a class of chemicals, and include an alphabet soup of compounds, including PFOA, PFOB, PFBS, HFPO-DA, and Gen-X, and potential impacts are not equal for each compound.
​
This article provides information about biosolids and PFAS monitoring data available to date in Virginia, including in Dragon Run.  It includes actions taken by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) to address existing and potential adverse effects from this class of chemicals and to provide public outreach.
​Click here for the full article.
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Gloucester County Upcoming Board Meeting Dates
https://gloucesterva.gov/meeting-portal  ​
Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Board of Supervisors Organizational Meeting
6:00 p.m. in the Colonial Courthouse

​Archives:
May 2025 Gloucester County Public Meeting Report
​Data Centers 101 Public Information & Input Meeting
​______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
​
King and Queen County Upcoming Board Meeting Dates
The King & Queen County Board of Supervisors holds regular meetings on the 2nd Monday of every month.
General District Courtroom 7:00 P.M.
King and Queen County Courts and Administration Building

​Friends of Dragon Run
P.O. Box 882
Gloucester, VA 23061
​© Friends of Dragon Run. All rights reserved.
  • Home
  • Membership
  • Donate
    • Donate
    • Legacy
  • Activities Calendar
  • Paddles
    • Paddle Season Information
    • World Travelers Explore the Dragon Run
    • Waiver of Liability
  • News & Current Challenges
    • FODR News Bulletins
    • Current Challenges
  • Swamp Sightings
    • Wyrmling Writings
  • More
    • Contact Us
    • Champions of the Dragon
    • Dragon Run in Action
    • D.R.E.A.M.
    • Brochures & Scavenger Hunts
    • Annual Report
    • Corporate Documents
    • Links >
      • USGS Dragon Swamp at Mascot, VA
      • Useful Conservation Links
    • Places to Stay
    • Photos