Unless Resolution 281 is rescinded, sewage from Lakeside’s first phase is slated to be pumped under Route 50 and run to the existing Trappe wastewater treatment plant, where it will get added to all of the rest of Trappe’s waste, treated in some fashion, and discharged into an “unnamed tributary” of La Trappe Creek where Trappe’s effluent has been directed for decades.
The Trappe plant is old, and was last upgraded in 2002. The low standards it is expected to meet; its ability to meet those standards consistently, month in and month out; and MDE’s monitoring and enforcement of its operation are all issues of controversy—with or without the additional waste load coming from Lakeside. (As to that second point for example, due to some “washout,” the plant was in violation for three straight months earlier this year, discharging as much as 230% of what is permitted even under its antiquated standards.) You will probably hear more about these issues in coming weeks.
The Trappe sewerage treatment plant is right on the edge of the Town, hard against the Talbot line. The treated effluent is piped into Talbot County, discharging into an “Unnamed Tributary” at Island Creek Road. (The area is zoned “Countryside Preservation,” by the way.) At this point, that effluent is no longer Trappe’s problem—it’s now on Talbot County land, in Talbot County waters, and is a Talbot County problem.
In learning about Lakeside’s impact on our County, I’ve been hearing and reading about this “Unnamed Tributary,” for some time—for example, in MDE’s permits for the Trappe plant. It is a small stream essentially beginning at the sewage plant and running about a half mile (as the crow flies) till it spills into the headwaters of La Trappe Creek, and from there into the Choptank. La Trappe Creek and the Choptank are both on the EPA list of impaired waters; the lower Choptank (downstream of La Trappe) is cited for fecal coliform issues, among others, and I believe La Trappe Creek is also.
I live on the Miles and have never been on La Trappe Creek, or even to Trappe Landing, much less have I seen this “Unnamed Tributary.” So, Saturday a week ago (the 11th), I roped my kayak into my wife’s SUV (really should get a carrier), and drove down to the landing. It was a great afternoon for kayaking—upper 70’s sunny, no wind. (When I got back, I checked and saw that I’d been there just about low tide.) I had to paddle upstream less than a half mile to find where the stream carrying the discharge from the Trappe sewage plant fed into La Trappe. It was a random day, and I presume sometimes conditions on that “unnamed tributary” are better, and sometimes they are worse. Nevertheless, below are some of the photos I took that day.
Is this our Talbot County? Are we really going to say it’s fine for Lakeside to increase the load on this already dire waterway–by 27%, maybe more? Have we no means to influence this, no leaders who will make it right?
If you are concerned about these matters, and about the Lakeside subdivision going forward, follow the news on social media (“Trappe the Waste” FB page, or “Talbot Integrity”). And indicate your support for Petition 21-01, which is alive and well, by emailing to that effect to [email protected].
Documentation:
2. Trappe Landing in distance. This is where unnamed tributary joins La Trappe Creek.
#3. Not hard to tell where something “different” is flowing in.
#4 Slightly up the “Unnamed Tributary”
#5. Muck you wouldn’t want to play around with.
#6. What’s this? Looks like grease, but not sure I want to know.
#7. Stuff right at entry to La Trappe Creek (bend in background).
Dan Watson is the former chair of Bipartisan Coalition For New Council Leadership and has lived in Talbot County for the last twenty-five years.
Meg Daley Olmert says
That is disgusting! Thank you for daring to look at and document the inconvenient truth that Trappe’s waste plant is already incapable of safely treating the waste product of the town. That must be addressed immediately by the town of Trappe and Talbot county authorities before any permit increasing the treatment load can be considered.
Bob Flower says
With all this how can the county council not approve Mr Lester’s resolution??
Robert A Gorsuch says
So, how many MDE inspectors does it take to see the environmental damage in these photos?
Wayne Bell says
I do my occasional recreational crabbing and perch fishing in La Trappe Creek. It is clear to me that the water quality is being degraded by essentially direct sewage discharge. The Trappe WWTP has been repeatedly found in violation of its “required” discharge standards. So what? Who is responsible and, ultimately, who pays for these violations? The Trappe East development will add sewage to the load of a WWTP that is routinely in violation of discharge standards. It seems to me that legal responsibility for exceeding such standards should be established in advance. I am not happy with “so what?” regulations that have no teeth.
Tom Alspach says
Thanks for this Wayne, quite right. But please don’t eat those perch you catch in LaTrappe Creek. The creek is on EPA’s 303(d) impaired waters list for “PCBs in fish tissue.” Also, btw, for fecal coliform and nitrogen/phosphorus.
Faye H. Nave says
Thank you Dan for doing this for the People to see for themselves. I am one of few trying to call
attention to the problem with the wastewater treatment plant in Trappe. It is not up to what it should be
for handling all of the waste from Trappe much less from 2501 more homes!!
When will the people stand up for what it RIGHT? This affects the entire county. The Council has been
given plenty of evidence regarding the negative effect this will have on our beautiful area. Let’s hope
Pete Lesher will stand up for all of us again.
Gene Lopez says
The Town of Trappe obviously can’t handle its current sewage treatment. Since the Town is polluting County-governed waters and property, why is the County not stepping up to protect the County and its residents? Trappe and the County’s handling of a huge development in a rural area is a step back into the 70s and 80s.
Carl Tankersley says
Thank you Dan Watson. Your photos show the muck that is not being treated and moves the discussion beyond the discussion about permits and process. This is real !$&@ being dumped in the water where fish and crabs are harvested.
Margot McConnel says
These photos certainly tell the story! Thank you once again Dan Watson for showing us why this petition (21-01) needs to be supported by us all
Douglas Firth says
Thanks Dan,
What else do the county leaders need to see???
This lovely creek will not continue to support our watermen and others unless this project is halted now!!
Eileen A. Deymier says
The images of LaTrappe creek are shocking.
Add to that, the Notice of the Town of Trappe Public Hearing Oct. 6th re: Ordinance 9-2021 “First Amendment to the DRRA” (Development Rights & Responsibilites Agreement) for Lakeside. A copy of the First Amendment to the DRRA may be purchased at the Trappe Town office during regular business hours”.
Public comment will be received.
This must be a first….requiring citizens to go to the town office & PAY for a piece of proposed legislation so they review it & can have their voices heard.
Ralph DeMarco says
Are you sure this is Trappe? Looks more like the Gowanus Canal in Brooklyn NY.
Julie A. Nave says
Thank you Dan Watson for taking the time to go see this discharge from the WWTP into the creek off of Trap Landing. The photos speak volumes and should be used as more than ample evidence of what we, who live on the other side of Trappe , have been saying about needing to protect our creeks and the river as well as the people and wildlife , who this terrible discharge affects.
The County Council should be taken on a “required field trip” to see what goes on in Trappe and smell as well as see all the waste that is being discharged and then see if they still think this development should happen. How on earth can a council feel they can make informed decisions if they don’t actually ” see the evidence” for what is the truth !!!
Dan Watson deserves Kudos for going above and beyond for trying to speak as well as document the truth !!!!
Darrell Parsons says
Thank you, Dan!
Tom Alspach says
Excellent reporting Dan. You have truly given current and graphic meaning to the historical journalistic concept of “muckraking.”