BURLINGTON — A permit for a sewage treatment plant is the last obstacle to construction of a creationist group's museum in Boone County, but a decision may be months away.

        The Sierra Club and a Sierra group called the Northern Kentucky Water Sentinels opposed a revised permit Thursday night for the sewage treatment facility sought by Answers in Genesis. The treatment facility would service AIG's proposed Creation Museum and Family Discovery Center, to be located near Deck Lane and Bullittsburg Church Road.

        Timothy B. Theissen, lawyer for AIG, said the sewage plant permit was the only permit holding up construction of the $14 million museum project, which has been proposed since 1996. The museum project is planned to reinforce the group's belief that the Bible is a literal account of the beginning of the world.

        Opposition to the facility revolved around the fact that treated sewage would be routed into an unnamed tributary that feeds into Garrison Creek. The creek meets Kentucky Division of Water criteria for an “exceptional” body of water, denoting high water purity.

        “It will completely take away our rights as property owners of being able to enjoy outdoor activities,” said Sheila Merrell, whose property is bordered by Garrison Creek.

        Her husband, David, said sewage would be dumped 200 feet from the property that he and his wife moved to 27 years ago. He is worried that the sewage would bring disease.

        There are 70 exceptional class bodies of water in Kentucky, only three in the Northern Kentucky area, according to Division of Water biologist Greg Pond. He said that less than 10 percent of Kentucky's streams are classified as exceptional.

        Heather Mayfield, director of the Sentinels, a voluntary arm of the Sierra club dedicated to promoting clean waterways, said her group opposed the revised permit because it would not protect Garrison Creek from degradation. She said treated sewage would still endanger the pristine creek's aquatic inhabitants, and doesn't provide for the creek's low flow in the summer.

        “It's the same stuff we heard at the other meetings,” AIG vice president Mike Zovath said. “It's nothing new under the sun.”

        Bruce Scott, managing director of the water permits branch for the Division of Water, said it could be several months before a decision is made. The agency could also decide to call another public hearing, he said.

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