Madison County, Virginia

Madison County, Virginia was created in 1792 by an act of the Virginia General Assembly and named for future President James Madison, "whose family had extensive land holdings and business interests in the area."

About the County

 * "The county contains 327 square miles of land mass, about one sixth of which falls in the Shenandoah National Park. According to the 2000 Census, there are 12,520 residents and more than a thousand part-time (recreational) residents. According to the Virginia Department of Transportation, Madison has 304 miles of secondary roads and 63 miles of primary roads."

Government

 * "The county is governed by a five-member elected board of supervisors, a county administrator, five elected Constitutional officers and an eleven member Planning Commission appointed by the Board of Supervisors.


 * "Supervisors are elected for four-year staggered terms. Three supervisors are selected in one election and two are selected in an election conducted two years thereafter. All supervisors are elected at-large."

Services and Utilities

 * "The county operates a transfer station and recycling center located on Route 622, between Shelby and Rochelle.


 * "Water and sewer service is provided to residents and businesses in and adjoining the Town of Madison and along portions of the Route 29 South corridor by the Rapidan Service Authority (RSA). Two members of the Board of RSA are appointed by the Madison County Board of Supervisors. Most county residents use private wells and septic systems.


 * "Electricity is provided to county residents by three utilities: Allgeheny Power, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative and, to a lesser extent, Virginia Power. Telephone service is provided by Verizon Telephone Co. Cable television service is provided to town residents by Adelphia."

Sewage Sludge Land Application
Several farmers in Madison County apply [sewage sludge]] to their land. A controversy arose in 2011 over the potential application of sewage sludge to nearly 4000 acres on 24 sites in Madison County by ReCyc Systems. At that time, sewage sludge applied to land in Madison County was harming the health and the quality of life of residents who lived nearby.

Contact Information

 * Web: http://www.madisonco.virginia.gov/

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Sewage sludge
 * Biosolids
 * Food Rights Network
 * Jessica McCoy

External articles

 * Marilyn Cox, "Banco mom: Sludge sickens daughter," Madison Eagle, September 14, 2011.