Wednesday, September 15, 1999
Fiscal court approves sewer study
Researchers won't disturb harvest schedule
BY KRISTINA GOETZ
The Cincinnati Enquirer
BURLINGTON — Northern Kentucky University researchers will work around the harvest schedule of farmers in Belleview as they study the site of a proposed wastewater treatment plant.
Whether crops could be damaged was the main concern of Boone County Fiscal Court members before they voted 3-0 Tuesday night to approve a $20,000 study that will look into the impact of a wastewater treatment plant on the Stites farm in Belleview.
Boone County Judge-Executive Gary Moore said he felt good about the cooperation of members of the Sanitation District No. 1 board and the residents who oppose the plant in drafting the contract.
“We've talked with the sanitation district and they expressed no concerns about doing this study,” he said. “And members of the Belleview technical committee have had meetings with the county about the contract.
“I, as much as anyone, want to identify whether there are any problems at that site. If there's a fatal flaw that everyone has missed, I don't believe (the sanitation district) would push for it either.”
The study will be done by the Environmental Resource Management Center at Northern Kentucky University in Highland Heights.
Specifically, researchers will look at the potential for contamination of the regional ground-water aquifer, especially in flooding or spillage situations.
The group will also look at the potential for contamination of the Ohio River and other watersheds, especially Middle Creek. Potential use of chlorinated compounds, hazardous chemicals and other chemicals at the facility will be considered.
Residents living near the western Boone County site, which is along the Ohio River, are concerned that the plant could damage the area's environment and drinking water.
The opposition group has made a push in the last several months for the fiscal court to hire an outside group to assess the area.
Deputy County Administrator John Stanton said the draft report will be finished by Nov. 2.
After the Nov. 2 deadline, the public, members of the sanitation district and the fiscal court may submit written com ments to the Environmental Resource Management Center within a 14-day period.
A final draft then will be submitted to the fiscal court.
“I'm very encouraged,” said John Arrasmith, a spokesman for the Belleview Action Committee, an organized group of opponents. “The community rallied and stood up for what they've believe is right.
“We've come a long way.”
Ohio seeks new school-funding plan
Colleges battling binge drinking
Dropout rates on the rise
Hillcrest offers one last chance
Council pay hasn't changed since 1928
Police issue abduction warning
Death may change Air Force training
Industrial park to be home of Kenton jail
Mason annexes all of Kings Island
Merit contenders are named
Sickle cell testing stirs ethical debate
Neighborhood health fairs free
Program shares wheelchairs worldwide
Artist of the 'Black Lagoon'
GET TO IT
Pax will strengthen local UPN
'Side Man' puts playwright up front
Athletic group could solve facilities problem
Butler wreck 3rd double fatality in under four weeks
Citizens to get say on center
Clock moved to park setting
Congregation reflects on its 150-year history
Fiscal court approves sewer study
Officials tap leader for Warren drug unit
Ohio honors 8 local education programs
Police studying infant's death
Religious leaders to give peace chance
Separate schools for Monroe closer
Triathlete races for girl with cancer
TRISTATE DIGEST
