County says no to septage resolution
• Flint Logistics-prepared resolution does not fit county's solid waste management plan
By Jessica Newberry, Intern, The News and Farmer, www.thenewsandfarmer.com
The Jefferson County Board of Commissioners should soon officially refuse to issue a letter of endorsement for the use of the old Forstmann site to treat Jefferson County septage.
At their Monday, July 31, work session, commissioners decided against supporting the plan of Flint Logistics Management, LLP, to reopen the wastewater treatment facility on Highway 171 due to a conflict with the Jefferson County Joint Solid Waste Management Plan.
The plan, adopted by all cities and the board of commissioners, went into effect in January 2005. It defines the Forstmann site as “unsuitable for the siting of landfill and solid waste facilities and land applied biosolids.”
“The commissioners are always looking for viable clean industries to locate in our county, and we have shown our willingness to promote and assist in anyway we saw possible and appropriate,” Chairman William Rabun said.
However, the board found Flint Logistic’s request inappropriate due to its zoning under the waste management plan.
Originally proposed as a resolution at the June 28 commissioners’ work session, the request was tabled until the August work session by a motion by commissioner Johnny Davis who stated that the board needed more time to assess the situation.
A letter from Flint Logistics co-owner Charlie Westberry was later received, requesting that the commissioners write a letter of non-objection to be included in an application to the Georgia Environmental Protection Division (EPD) for a permit to accept septage, according to County Administrator Paul Bryan.
“Because of the request at the June meeting, the subsequent letter and comments by Westberry, a meeting with Georgia EPD was set up,” Bryan said at Monday’s work session.
The meeting, held in mid-July with a representative of the Water Protection Branch, was to clarify all issues relating to the permitting process, public meeting requirements, the commissioners’ input and the regulations under which any permit might be issued, Bryan said.
Commissioners Johnny Davis and Tommy New both expressed a need to represent the people of their districts by rejecting Flint Logistic’s request, despite the continuing search for viable industries to come into the community.
The commissioners voted unanimously to place a rejection of the original resolution on the consent agenda for the regular commissioners’ meeting on Thursday, Aug. 10, at 7 p.m.
EPD's Ernie Earns has said that while passing said resolution could possibly hasten permitting, it is possible that such a resolution may not be necessary for permitting.