King William tribes say data centers could harm county rivers
King William County's proposed ordinance to encourage data center development has raised concerns among the county's three Indian tribes: Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Upper Mattaponi. The tribes are primarily worried about the significant water usage by data centers and its potential impact on the Pamunkey and Mattaponi Rivers, which are vital to their culture and ecosystem. The Board of Supervisors tabled a vote on the ordinance to further review the issues raised.
King William County, Virginia, is considering a proposed ordinance designed to encourage investment in technology uses, including data centers, along Routes 30 and 360 and in industrial zones. Planner Joyce Wolfe stated that the ordinance would establish "by-rights standards" for these uses, with other areas requiring conditional use permits, making the rules less restrictive than in neighboring Hanover and Henrico counties.
However, the proposed ordinance has drawn strong opposition from King William County's three Indian tribes: the Pamunkey, Mattaponi, and Upper Mattaponi. Allyson Gray, a Pamunkey tribal council member, expressed concerns to the Board of Supervisors on April 27, emphasizing the tribe's deep connection to the Pamunkey River and the potential environmental harm from data centers, particularly regarding water usage and groundwater supplies. She also criticized the county's failure to formally consult with the tribes.
Tammy Heath, environmental director for the Mattaponi Tribe, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the Mattaponi River's importance to the tribe's identity and ecosystem. She warned of serious, long-lasting environmental risks from the massive water demands of data centers, stating that withdrawal of large amounts of water would endanger the river and its species. The Board of Supervisors tabled a vote on the draft technology ordinance on April 13 to allow for further examination of these issues.