Public Comment needed on Groton STP permit

Concerned citizens - we need your help!

The DEC has issued the draft SPEDES permit for public comment. The DEC has now suggested a phase in of the two pound daily limit that would not end until 18 months after construction of the new sewage treatment plant (STP) is completed(scheduled for Summer 2010).

Folks, this issue has been on the table for over 5 years. We really should stand our ground on this issue and not allow"phasing" in the 2lb. limit. Testing has proven for all practical purposes that the Groton STP can do the 2 lbs. limit now if they want to. There are also other questions relating to the monitoring period and other effluent parameter limits in the permit.

While we are spending money to fix this treatment plant, let's all insist that we do it right. OWLA's board is working on a detailed formal response to all the issues we have identified as questionable. Stay tuned here for some talking points for your responses in the coming days. Please read more about the situation through the links below.

Public Comment Period:
Written comments on the proposed permit should be mailed no later than August 8, 2008. All comments should be addressed to:
John Merriman,
1285 Fisher Avenue
Cortland, NY 13045-1090

link to draft Groton SPEDES permit:

http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/44965.html

Groton STP background document:
http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/water_pdf/grotonfactsht.pdf

Syracuse.com article:

http://www.syracuse.com/cayuga/index.ssf?/base/news-13/121576669090760.xml&coll=1