Letter to the Editor: Objects to the Technology Overlay District and data center projects

As a sovereign Tribal Nation with deep historical, cultural, and ancestral ties to the region, the Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division must be formally included in all consultation processes regarding any construction or development that may impact our traditional lands, waterways, natural resources, and neighboring community.

Meaningful Tribal consultation is not only respectful of our sovereignty and heritage, but essential to ensuring that environmental, cultural, and community impacts are fully considered before decisions are made. While technological growth is important, it should not come at the expense of our natural resources, public health, quality of life, and environmental sustainability.

One of the most concerning issues is water usage and wastewater discharge associated with data center cooling systems. The most common method, evaporative cooling, can consume millions of gallons of water per year for each megawatt of IT load. These systems continually replace water lost through evaporation, creating an enormous and ongoing demand on local water resources.

Even more troubling is what happens to the discharged water. To prevent buildup of impurities, approximately 20-30 percent of the water is flushed out as contaminated liquid waste. This discharge is often routed into storm sewers, building waste systems, or directly onto the ground. The remaining 70-80 percent evaporate into the atmosphere. Residents deserve answers about how this contaminated water could affect the Pamunkey River, groundwater, nearby wetlands, and local ecosystems.

Another major concern is noise pollution. Non-evaporative systems still rely on large outdoor cooling fans that generate constant broadband, low-to-mid-frequency noise ranging from 70-95 decibels. This is not occasional construction noise; it is a continuous industrial drone operating day and night.

The Pamunkey River and its surrounding communities are invaluable natural and cultural resources. Once industrialized, the damage to the environment, wildlife habitat, scenic character, and community well-being may be irreversible.

I respectfully urge you to reject the proposed Technology Overlay District and prohibit large-scale data center development near the Pamunkey Rivers and residential communities.

Chief Joanne Howard
Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division
Providence Forge