C. A. U. S. E.

Citizens Against the Unnecessary Sewer Expansion

D a n T h e i l e K a t h y S c h o o n m a k e r G e o r g e S c h o o n m a k e r

D e b O ’C o n n e l l C h a r l i e D a r t

J o h n L e e J i m S a l w a y

APPROVAL OF PERF PROGRAMTim Frederick updated the Board on the Public

Employees Retirement Program. He informed the Board that the cost had risen over last year’s estimates. Discussion ensued. Questions were asked and answered. Robert Coder moved and Jim Kidd seconded the motion to approve the PERF program as presented and to pay the $103,558.00 from land sales for prior service credit for employees, which motion passed unanimously.

STEUBEN LAKES REGIONAL WASTE DISTRICTBOARD OF TRUSTEES MEETINGOctober 16, 200808-10SPMEMBERS PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT:

Jack BledsoeBob CoderBill HeckleyJim KiddLyndon TuckerJim Van VlerahGeorge Pifer

SLRWDTaken from the District minutes of the 1-12-2010

meeting:

(President)” Bill Heckley added that the District had no

intentions of pursuing an unwanted project.”

Taken from the SLRWD District minutes of the 1-12-2010 meeting:

Superintendent Frederick stated:

“ Without public interest, the District did not intend on pursuing a project.”Pg 2

StudiesIn 1978 and 1979 there were extensive studies performed

by the EPA, Corporate & Individual Consultants, U. S. Soil & Water Svc., Steuben Co. Health Dept., Tri-State Univ., Purdue Univ., and

others.

See note on next slide

Note: These 1979 studies are the most extensive studies done

on our lakes. There have been extensive samplings by

individual groups at different intervals spread over several

years.

Statement The SLRWD has not done any studies on the water our lakes

that contradict the studies done by the Lakes Council,

Indiana Clean Lakes Program, the Steuben County Health

Department, Trine University (Tri-State) or the EPA.

I do not feel the District I do not feel the District can make the claim that can make the claim that

our water is unclean! our water is unclean! ……and greater yet, that and greater yet, that installing this massive installing this massive

sewer system will improve sewer system will improve the quality of our water.the quality of our water.

Mick, Rowland & Associates was the local firm that proposed the sewer district establish

an elaborate sewer system of feeder lines to a central processing

plant and/or leach field(s) for treatment.

*Mick, Rowland & Assoc

“*..that private residential septic systems is thought to be causing the lakes to suffer from excessive, phosphorous, low oxygen content & high numbers of phytoplanxton**”

Note: The above has never established as being a true fact and contradicts the conclusions of the EPA on Steuben Lakes.

( **drifting plants) EPA study February 22-23, 1979 fi-to-plangk-ton

Mick, Rowland & Assoc

“Therefore it is much too easy for waste to enter the

lakes and ground water which makes it hazardous for agriculture, recreation

and public health”

Why?“Part of the blame for the poor

reputation of septic systems can be traced to the popularity of conventional

sewer systems in the 1960’ and 70’s when more government funding was

available.... And engineers, local officials and community residents

sometimes may be easily impressed by high-tech solutions to problems.”

www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf

EPAThe EPA recommended that the “district”

use a Limited Alternative Action.

That if a central system were implemented the

liability would shift from the homeowners to the

“district”.1978 – 79 study

SLRWDThe “District” chose and implemented the “Mick,

Rowland & Assoc. Plan” over the EPA “LAA”

recommendation. *This company complained that they had invested time &

monies and were not being properly compensated and

local politics was interjected to appease. (*My opinion – Jim)

EPA The LAA would minimize potential hazards to drinking

water by:

1) inspecting existing wells and

filter systems ;2) sampling all wells, and 3) selecting on-site and off –site

measures to stop actual or potential drinking water for contamination.

Pg 35

EPA studiesCovered these basic concerns:

1)The high cost of a centralized system;2)Uncertain water quality improvement;3)Economic effects on area residents;4)The potential for induced growth and5)The secondary impacts of growth.

Chapter 1

EPA

The EPA recommended that the “district” use a Limited Alternative Action and details the

following topics.

A – Septic TanksB – GroundwaterC – Population and Land UseD – Economic Impact

EPA-904/9-79-040

The Limited Action Alternative (“LAA”) would:

• Minimize potential hazards to drinking water;

• Have all existing wells and filter fields tested;

• Select on-site and off-site measures to stop actual or possible drinking water contamination;

• Actually repair wells (such as grouting) of wells may often prove less expensive…

Pg 35

EPA recommends LAA

That the annual cost to each homeowner under the Mick &

Rowland Plan as compared to the LAA Plan would be a 9 to 1 ratio.

In 1979 dollars $450.00 as compared to $50.00*. (decreased to $41.00 **) pg. 36 *and pg 31**

FactThe EPA statements clearly state that:The EPA statements clearly state that:

“when septic systems are properly designed, constructed and

maintained they effectively reduce or eliminate most

human health or environmental threats posed by pollutants in household water.***

*** EPA homeowners guide to Septic Systems 832-B-02-005

Inspect-a-Pedia Septic systems properly

maintained will last for 40 years and even

indefinitely if properly maintained and may be repaired to conform to accepted standards.

Inspect-a-pedia.com

SLRWD Board President stated at the

Jan. 12th Special Meeting: “..there is a problem in the proposed area and private septic systems eventually

filter into surrounding lakes, streams and

drinking water systems.”

“The SLRWD would act as the recipient and distributor of Construction Grant Funds. Homeowners who wished to

improve their on-site facilities could voluntarily apply to the SLRWD for

assistance”Pg 17

EPA “As a result of the various field studies conducted by EPA it

can be concluded the most ST/SAS’s are

working well.” pg 25

EPAThe EPA recommended that the “district” use a Limited

Alternative Action.

That the “district” determine any

homeowner whose well or sewage systems was

determined to be “in need” be given “assistance” to

correct.

Septic system effluents “ Movement of water and

associated nitrates, phosphates, coli-form and bacteria rarely move more

than 5 meters from the filter bed, even in old

systems”

Ground Water and Assessment Program – Baxter, Minn.Comparable soil types

EPAThe EPA recommended that the “district” use a Limited

Alternative Action.

“The effects of more

than 50 years of septic tank or absorption systems on water

quality is insignificant.”Pg 35

Purdue University

“Soils effectively treat effluent through chemical, physical and biological processes. Naturally occurring microorganisms in the

soil feed on organic contaminants in the effluent, effectively breaking

them down and removing them from wastewater.”

Purdue Soil, and Environmental Sciences 10-3-2010 Lee, Franzmeier and Jones

Septic Tank Discharge

“ The effluent exits the pipe and trickles

through the field.” … “It also filters out many of the bacteria, viruses

and nutrients before the effluent reaches groundwater.”

www.anjec.org/pdfs/RP_Septic.pdf

Septic System Designs

Millions of aerobic bacteria live in the soil (30 million or so

organisms live in a teaspoon of soil) These aerobic bacteria thrive in sewage trenches

consuming their food source. These clean the sewage, and

everything in sewage is organic. Nature is cool!www/: eco-nomics.com

The need for improved management around the Steuben Lakes is not as

extensive as stated in the Facilities Plan. The 1979

remote sensing and ground survey of ST/STAs located only

4 malfunctioning septic systems or sewage absorption fields in which effluent back-

up to the soil surface occurred.Pg 20 - C

ComparisonComparisonYour septic tank is just a Your septic tank is just a

microcosm of the “big microcosm of the “big sewage tank” sewage tank”

established by the established by the SLRWD near Flint. SLRWD near Flint.

EPA on groundwater

“Based on the results of the 1979 well water study the

EPA concludes that the quality of groundwater

(bacteriological and chemical) in the Study Area

is of a high standard.” Page 35

EPA on population &

land use Summer population in the

Proposed Service Area is expected to increase by 2000. Under the Facilities Proposed

Plan it would increase by 33%. Under the LAA the

growth would be limited to 22%.Pg 35

Land use “ The LAA plan would result in

40% more land use to accommodate 33% fewer people than under the Facilities Proposed Plan”, making the density much less per square mile.

The Facilities Plan would cause an increased stress upon the infrastructure and resources in the “district”.

Environmental Impacts “However, the induced growth that is associated with sewering

in the system alternatives (Facilities Proposed Plan -Mick,

Rowland & Assoc)* may increase pressures for

development of wetlands not protected by State ownership”

Pg 30 * added for clarification

Dept. of Interior “ Basically, we are

pleased to note that the Limited Action Alternative is the recommended plan

and will preserve remaining wetlands in the

area”.Feb 4, 1980 letter

24.7% or 25 million households across the

U. S. use septic systems and.. “The

total volume of waste disposed of through

septic systems is over 1,000,000,000 (trillion)

gallons per year”www.nesc.wvu.edu/pdf

Truth While the water does reenter the aquifer the effects of septic tank separation, filter bed microbes and the natural percolation of the soil changes the characteristics of

raw waste to nearly pure water. In addition the separation of the near shallow aquifer

and the deep or confined aquifer from which wells draw their water is separated, generally by 3 layers and for the well to be contaminated the points must intersect.

“Septic systems that are properly designed, installed

and operated properly maintained will treat

wastewater as well as any municipal sewage system. In fact, some septic systems do a

much better job!”http://the lakeguy.wordpress.com (lakefront living)

EPA “ Steep slopes exist in many parts of the Proposed Service

Area (Steuben Co.), particularly in the east.

Construction of sewers and treatment plants may cause substantial erosion on these

slopes, with consequent deterioration of water

quality.”

Chapter 1 Pg 1

EPA

EPA recommends that the “district” not run sewer

lines but instead concentrate on testing

wells and septic systems to ascertain if remedial action

could correct any deficiencies.

The EPA recommended that the “district” use a Limited Alternative Action.

EPA The EPA recommended that the “district” use a

Limited Alternative Action.

Stated that “low pressure lines” would not be

effective if used over the distance

required for a central system.

EPAThe EPA recommended that the “district” use a

Limited Alternative Action.

“That the running of sewer lines would cause harm to the

environment.”

EPA The EPA recommended that the “district” use a

Limited Alternative Action.

That if a line ruptured the damage to the environment,

the lakes and the water would be very significant.

Page 20

SLRWD Statement by SLRWD President Heckley:

…Hampton Inn & the Holiday Inn had not

requested sewers, but the Ramada Inn and

Pokagon had, along with a number of residents.

Jan 12, 2010 pg 3

Dept. of Natural Resources

“The area is suitable for sites of prehistoric occupation, and there

must be an archaeological reconnaissance of all undisturbed areas which will be impacted by construction associated with the

project.”

• Feb 14, 1980 letter

Pokagon Kathy, George and Jim met with

and /or spoke directly to some supervisors of Pokagon State Park, and all have indicated they have no desire to be included, although the decision would be at the state level, in connecting to the SLRWD system.

EPA Recommends that Pokagon State Park

be a “No Action Alternative”.

1978 – 79 study

WetlandsAre there any

wetlands, animal biomass, snag species

or streams to be considered?

SLRWD

Based upon the statements made by both the SLRWD President & Plant Superintendent we think

they have full intentions of including the effluent from

Pokagon State Park in the plan for their next expansion.

Recent studies

Studies performed by the Steuben Lakes Council, L.A. R.

E. and Indiana Clean Lakes Program have all returned

conclusions that Big and Little Otter Lakes are improving

each year.

Going green?With my current system I use no

chemicals, no electricity and discharge no waste directly into any waterway, so why would I want to

pay for a system that uses electricity, chemicals and dumps

directly into a body of water?

and more…

My system will operate even if the power grid were to be interrupted

by weather or a terrorists attack! …

Tri-State University

“Less than 10% of the 101 samples were confirmed

positive for total coli-forms. Less than 2% of the samples were positive for both total

and fecal coli-forms. Concluded on Pg 5

EPA

The “Percentage of Population that would experience Financial Burden & Displacement Pressure:

Financial Displacement Can Burden Pressure Afford

Facilities Plan: 10 – 20% 40 - 50% 50 – 60%LAA <2% 2 - 5% 95 –

98%”

Table 5 – pg 36

Tim Fredericks’ Letter of July 10

The letter mentions an epa.gov/lakes survey begun in 2007 ranked 56% of the U.S. lakes as good and the remainder as poor. However, none of the lakes surveyed are in our area.

National Eutrophication Survey

Decrease50.4%

National Eutrophication Survey

Increase 22.6%

National Lakes Association

In the 2007 study 56% of the nations lakes support healthy biological

communities. Of the 22% that are poor most are located in the

Northeastern past of the United States. This study will be used as a baseline

for future studies and no lakes studied are in our area.

“The SLRWD Board of Trustees is eager to work with your community in a meaningful way by sharing the information already collected, to seek and apply your input to avoid problems and to seek opportunities to work together as a community ….

Letter from SLRWD July 12, 2010

…..to protect the environment’s most

precious resource “Water””

SLRWD letter July 12, 2010

One Indiana sewer district seminar theme was:

“Protect Drinking “Protect Drinking Water One Drop Water One Drop

at a Time”at a Time”

Indiana Clean Water Studies have been conducted over several years and the

results are: In addition, the earliest sampling record

had significantly higher nitrate, ammonia, phosphorous, soluble reactive phosphorus, total nitrogen and plankton than the most recent studies. …this could provide evidence that best management practices regarding agriculture and development are working.

Lake Water Quality Assessment for 2004 – 2008 - pg 59

Code of Federal RegulationsCode of Federal Regulations

I have read 40 CFR 35.917-5 and there are several

conditions/actions before implementation of a project

“public input is required.” The survey mailed to you counts as

“one” of these.

Costs Why would the sewer costs be more in some

cases than the Steuben County property taxes for which I receive fire, police, roads, snow removal, emergency services, road signs, courts, health services, assessor, recorder, auditor, compliance, prosecution, surveyor, veteran services, clerks, animal control, severe weather warnings, social services, database, library, parks or public assistance? Credit to John Lee for idea

Volatile Organic Compounds

“VOC and most semi-volatile organic compounds are not common of human waste”. VOC’s are gases introduced into the soil by paints, odor control products, varnishes, degreasers, oil and optical brighteners commonly found in laundry products.” These do not pose a problem associated with septic systems.

SLRWD Special Meeting

At the Special Meeting the SLRWD when asked about the Lakes Council water testing

Superintendent Fredericks replied that he:

“Was not aware of them.”

How you make a decision without all the facts?

When did the rights of the SLRWD

become more

important than my rights?

My rightsstandrighthere!

D a n T h i e l e – 260-833-9031K a t h y S c h o o n m a k e r 260-243-1461

G e o r g e S c h o o n m a k e r 260-243-1075

D e b O ’C o n n e l l 419-344-5679

C h a r l i e D a r t 260-833-2584P a u l B e l p a s s o 260-833-2511

J i m S a l w a y 260-833-1739

The opinions The opinions expressed are expressed are

based on based on information information

and/or data from and/or data from several sources.several sources.

DisclaimerIn an attempt to provide information

we have used facts, findings, data and materials to the best of our ability. It is

in no way intended to do harm to a specific group, corporation, company, person or persons mentioned herein.

What can you do?

C. A. U. S. E.

Citizens Against the Unnecessary Sewer Expansion