TAZEWELL, Va. — Tazewell County officials are moving closer to a decision on a controversial windmill farm project for East River Mountain.

A steering committee studying the wind turbine project has recommended several changes to a proposed ridgeline protection ordinance, David Anderson, chairman of the Tazewell County Board of Supervisors, said.

Anderson said the supervisors will most likely have to hold another public hearing in May on the changes proposed to the ridgeline protection ordinance. He said the supervisors could make a final decision on the ordinance — and the fate of the large-scale windmill farm — as early as June.

Dominion and BP Wind Energy North America Inc. have purchased 2,560 acres of land in Tazewell County for the windmill farm. The two companies are hoping to have the wind turbines operational on East River Mountain as early as 2012.

However, the ridgeline protection ordinance — if adopted by the supervisors — could restrict the development of tall structures along certain protected ridges, including East River Mountain and Burke’s Garden.

In other action Tuesday, the supervisors voted unanimously to apply for a $437,500 Virginia Community Development Block Grant application through the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development for the proposed Middle Creek Waterline Extension Project. A large crowd of concerned citizens from the Middle Creek community attended Tuesday’s meeting to speak in favor of the project.

“The water we have is poor quality,” Kathy Alley, a resident of the Middle Creek community, said. “Most of us haul water to drink and buy water. Most of our residents are older, and it is hardship for them to have to haul water.”

Cedar Bluff Mayor John Smith said the project is needed for the residents of Middle Creek.

“We do need water and sewer in that area,” Smith said.

Tazewell County Administrator Jim Spencer said the project is for water only.

“This is just water right now because that is a pressing need,” Spencer said. “We will try to come back and address the sewer.”

In other business Tuesday, the board approved a streamlined Virginia Department of Transportation six-year plan for secondary roads.

Southern District board member Mike Hymes asked VDOT Tazewell Residency Director Marty Halloway for an update on the proposed closure of the local VDOT office.

Halloway said the consolidation of VDOT residency offices could begin by September. He said the first-round of VDOT lay-offs will begin in June.

The supervisors passed a resolution last month opposing the closure of the Tazewell Residency Office.

In other business, Spencer said the Assign a Highway program will be resuming soon in Tazewell County under the direction of Sheriff H.S. Caudill. Spencer said the county has more than 1,000 probationers who could qualify for participation in the trash removal program.

“We have heard you — we know there is trash on 460 and other parts of the county,” Anderson said. “We will be using our probationers.”

– Contact Charles Owens at cowens@bdtonline.com