Minutes - 19850521 - Laserfiche WebLink

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0040030 with them. He referred to the permit which is granted for the discharge of sewage, industrial waste and other waste. The Orange County sites are located in the Collins Creek drainage area. OWASA's response to why the materials were concentrated in the Collins Creek drainage area was that they have no particular policy for the application of sludge in protected watershed districts. The statement contained in the Finding of No Significant Impact- indicates Collins Creek is the nearest drainage stream and no adverse impact is anticipated and the area's existing water supply (University Lake) is located in another drainage basin as well as the proposed Cane Creek water supply`. The statement is a contradiction to OWASA's previous statements. Because of the problems, hardship and rudeness to the people of Clover Garden community, a petition was circulated which received 82 names. This petition was presented to OWASA in the summer of 1984 and no official response has been received. The Department of Enviromental Management (DEM) did inspect the sites in dry weather and no runoff was observed. A number of the items listed in the permit have been observed to be violated. Hartley observed surveyors on the Durham Heirs tract who indicated lines were being run for an easement for OWASA. Durham said OWASA had not indicated the purpose of the property when it was purchased. Pat Davis, Assistant to the Director at OWASA, told Hartley in December that the property would be used for the disposal of sludge materials. The Orange County Planning Department was contacted and requested to evaluate the problem of sludge disposal in Bingham Township. The County did not know the location of these fields but did study the situation. Also, the Planning Department received a resolution from the Bingham Township Advisory Council in which they expressed concern about the problems with sludge. When the Durham Heirs' property was sold, Hartley contacted the EPA officer who was not aware that OWASA had purchased the Durham Heirs tract for sludge application and expressed concern that no environmental impact assessment had been completed. No public hearing had taken place and none of the procedures necessary under the terms of the EPA requirements were undertaken. Hartley submitted to the EPA a packet of maps and other documents with a letter requesting an extension for the period for comment. The request was denied on the grounds that OWASA told the EPA that the Durham Heirs' property was purchased for transferal property to be exchanged in the Cane Creek project. An appeal has been sent to the Board of Adjustement. He requested the Board of Commissioners evaluate the situation and set some means for regulation at on the local level so the citizens can be assured of a level of government with which they have contact and which is responsible to the citizens will have some regulation over the procedures involved. J. T. Thompson, property owner, expressed concern about the drainage and the fact that this drainage infiltrated his well on three (3) occasions. He noted that the sludge was spread on the land three (3) times last year. No signs were present, and it was put on deep enough to cover the tall grass and spread all the way to the road. Windows and doors had to be kept shut because of the odor. The sludge was put on with a tanker truck and not sprayed. The people in the area were not contacted about the use of the property. OWASA indicated their intention to increase the amount of sludge that will be disposed on this property in question. Commissioner Marshall indicated that sludge application is intended to be advantageous for the farmers and expressed concern that it had not been worked out.