"To Say That We Have Picked A Site And It's A Done Deal Is Incorrect"

Wednesday November 05, 2008
PSD accepts Snowshoe sewage treatment plant
Geoff Hamill
Staff Writer

The Pocahontas Public Service District (PSD) voted unanimously Monday night to sign a transfer agreement and accept ownerhip of Snowshoe Mountain Resort’s sewage treatment facilities. The West Virginia Public Service Commission (PSC) approved the transfer agreement last month.

The agreement marks a significant expansion for the PSD, which previously operated only the drinking water system for the Durbin-Frank-Bartow area.

The PSD also voted unanimously to accept responsibility for the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for the Snowshoe facilities. The Clean Water Act mandates the permit system, which is regulated by the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP).

Snowshoe was found in violation of its NPDES permit during 2000 â?? 2003, spurring plans for a regional plant to serve Snowshoe and surrounding areas.

The transfer of Snowshoe’s sewage treatment facilities will occur regardless of whether or not a regional sewage treatment plant is approved.

In August, the PSD voted to build a regional plant at Site 7, on Snowshoe property along Cupp Run, which will serve the Snowshoe and Linwood areas.

PSD attorney Tom Michael said the proposed plant at Site 7 still needs to be engineered, including analysis of alternatives and will require approval by DEP and PSC.

“To say that we have picked a site and it’s a done deal is incorrect. The PSD, a couple months ago, stated their preference for Site 7, and that’s the proper terminology. That’s the preferred site. The engineers will be designing a proposed treatment plant at Site 7 and submit that, as part of an amended facilities plan to DEP for approval. By regulation, part of that amended facilities plan has to be an alternatives analysis,” he said.

Michael said that DEP can approve or disapprove the PSD’s preference for Site 7 and that after DEP approval, final plans had to be approved by the PSC.

“We have proposed a site, subject to two regulatory approvals, both of which will involve public participation, both of which will involve the DEP and both of which require analysis of different alternatives,” he said.

PSD member Scott Millican said it was important to finish up negotiations with Snowshoe to acquire land at Site 7 to build the regional plant. The PSD went into executive session for about 30 minutes to discuss ongoing attorney negotiations with Snowshoe for the acquisition of the land.

In other business, the PSD:

PSD President Mark Smith said the water supply had improved during the last week, but he wanted the other members to consider the necessity of a new well.

The PSD agreed to consider the matter at a later date.