The October 12 Talbot County Council hearing did not adjourn until 10:37 P.M. In the event that we didn’t hear all of the testimony, we can view the proceedings online.
Granted an opportunity to share the concerns of hundreds of citizens who signed the petition for a hearing to adopt Resolution 308 to rescind Resolution 281, Dan Watson was permitted to speak for longer than 5 minutes. That opportunity would be seized by other concerned citizens throughout the evening. As Dan pointed out, this is a complex issue.
Matt Pluta of Riverkeepers shared data that included figures for high levels of fecal coliform bacteria and E coli in La Trappe Creek. Shellfish may no longer be harvested there, and a stench was noted. The Choptank River is also polluted, and Public Works Advisory Board member Bill Anderson would remind us that the Choptank is ours. Talbot County’s southern border is Dorchester’s shoreline; and the removal of the 6,336 pounds of nitrogen deposited in the river annually, at the current cost of approximately $1,000/lb., would total over $6 million.
A new wastewater treatment plant would cost millions, too. But there’s hope. Grants are available, and Maryland currently has a budget surplus of $2.5 billion.
The Planning Commission agrees that Trappe’s wastewater treatment system is failing, but conducted a hearing and ruled against adopting Resolution 308. Commissioner Chip Councell suggested that the town and the developer could solve these problems.
Jim Smullen, a recently retired water resource management specialist and resident of Talbot County, had testified at that hearing. Astounded by both the level of malfunction of the Trappe plant and the lack of oversight of the Lakeside project, he shared that his head had “exploded” when he was given just 3 minutes to present the findings of his 36-page report. Trappe’s problems are also complicated by extreme levels of INI (infiltration and inflow). How could 125 more homes hook up to that?
Calvin Yowell, of the Mid-shore Chapter of the Izaak Walton League, acknowledged that the Trappe system is in terrible shape, but generally agreed with the Planning Commission. He recommended not only putting Resolution 308 “in the trash can,” but that “the developer, the County, and the town of Trappe” should all work together to find a solution – and that committee would include both county counsel and a county engineer.
Ironically, that is what Resolution 308 would accomplish. Resolution 281 currently grants control and oversight of this process solely to the town of Trappe and Lakeside’s developer. The County could be included; but with a development of this size, why leave that to chance?
Tom Alspach of Talbot Preservation Alliance reminded us that when Resolution 281 was adopted we were not aware that the Trappe plant wasn’t equipped to handle additional wastewater. He also reminded us that since La Trappe Creek is currently overwhelmed with pollutants, it is reasonable to require that ENR (nitrogen regulation) standards be met before additional dwelling units are connected.
And as Alan Girard of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation elaborated, state law requires that these ENR standards must be functional before connections are made. It also requires the County to play a role in these decisions. Section 9-505 of the Environmental Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland requires county involvement in the staging, sizing, and adequacy of sewer service. It is also a county’s obligation to program service and involve the public in these decisions. He summarized, “This is the County’s obligation under state law. I propose that you take this seriously.”
Lisa Ghezzi of the Planning Commission had voted against allowing Resolution 281 to stand. She offered, “Given the complexity of this matter, I saw no choice but for rescission. We all agree that the Trappe plant has failed and La Trappe Creek is polluted.” She appreciated the value of oversight, and recommended that the Council consider its legacy.
Managing wastewater for a development the size of a town clearly requires both planning and oversight. Throughout the remainder of the evening the Council was advised to pass Resolution 308.
Our lives and in many cases our livelihoods depend upon a healthy environment, and Resolution 308 would put the Lakeside development on hold until wastewater treatment concerns are addressed. Our laws and state agencies provide guidance, but exercising this authority requires Talbot County to be included in negotiations and plans for wastewater treatment.
The Talbot County Council’s October 12 hearing adjourned at 10:37 P.M. The Maryland Department of the Environment will be holding a public hearing at Talbot’s Community Center October 28 at 5 P.M. A date has not yet been set to vote upon Resolution 308.
Carol Voyles
Easton
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