For everyone who is new to the group. Below is the abbreviated version of a 75 page document and a 60+ page document. There is significant potential for short and long-term adverse environmental impacts on Cobus Creek According to rough estimates of flow, Cobus Creek has winter discharge as low as 5 MGD so an increase in flow of 2.7 MGD will have a significant impact on the hydrology and ecology of Cobus Creek due to change in flow and temperature, and impacts to water quality. - Hydrological impacts – o Significant increase in the potential for flooding issues. o Erosion issues because of increased flow o Habitat alteration by increased flow and movement of sediment (i.e., sedimentation could cover valuable spawning substrate and rock habitat) - Recreational and land use impacts – o Elkhart Conservation Club o Cobus Creek County Park o Other adjoining landowners ECC and Cobus Creek are used for recreation and environmental education. These organizations have invested a significant amount in restoring these sections of cobus creek by putting in natural stream features and trout habitat. Landowners use creek to recreate, and interact with nature. Quality of life is increased for residents along Cobus Creek because of its high quality, natural aesthetics. Thus property values are in jeopardy. - Water quality impacts - o Significant potential to alter temperature o Wastewater effluent is odorous and contains pollutants o Ontwa Townships record for managing the wastewater they send to Elkhart is very poor. Since 2011 Ontwa Township has not been able to manage the wastewater it sends to the City of Elkhart. Currently their wastewater is highly corrosive because it contains high levels of hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is an odorous gas, sometimes referred to as “sewer gas” that is formed through anaerobic breakdown of wastewater. Through chemical reactions it can transform to sulfuric acid, which is the reason for the pipeline corrosion. High concentrations of hydrogen sulfide are indicative of high strength wastewater containing a lot of organic material. Currently Elkhart’s plant can handle this waste because it is a very large plant and other sources help dilute its high strength. However, will a small facility like the one being proposed in Edwardsburg be able to handle the high strength wastewater? Where does that water go if it can’t? Some other notes: Onwta has received a loan commitment from the USDA Rural Development for $7,590,000. Michigan contact # at USDA Rural Development (517) 324-5190 Ontwa has applied to the MDEQ Revolving Loan Fund for a Stormwater, Assett Management and Wastewater (SAW) grant. Contact Kelly Green 517-284-5409 [email protected] MDEQ Permit Folks suggest that there will be 2 comment periods. 1 for construction of the wastewater plant and 1 for their discharge permit. Contact Dale Ehinger (269) 567-3571, [email protected] Ontwa has already purchased land on Garver Lake Outlet for the Project. They plan to initially build the plan to a discharge capacity of 2.7 million gallons per day.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Mar 2014 11:25:23 +0000
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