Our poop in Barber Creek? I think not....

Citizens for Oconee's Future, Inc.
P. O. Box 1301
Watkinsville, GA 30677




Following is a message from Lee Becker, Friends of Barber Creek with information on the County's application to dump treated waste water into Barber Creek. It will be important that a public hearing be held on the application to ensure that citizens have the opportunity to learn more about this and to ensure that the county government hears citizen concerns. Citizens will be in a better position to hold the Board responsible when the time comes.
Charles Baugh
President


Dear Friends,

The Oconee County request to be allowed to dump 1.0 Million Gallons Per Day of treated wastewater from an expanded Rocky Branch Waste Treatment Plant into Barber Creek is now up for review before the state Environment Protection Division.

Please write to the EPD and ask for a hearing. Reference Permit No. GA0038806. Here is the address:

Linda MacGregor, Branch Chief
Water Protection Branch
Georgia Department of Natural Resources
Environmental Protection Division
4220 International Parkway, Suite 101
Atlanta, GA 30354

Tell the EPD how important the stream is to you. Contrast what you do with the creek with the following advise on use of reuse quality water, which is what will be dumped into the creek if the permit is granted.

Reuse water should not be allowed into dwelling units, should not be used for swimming, should not be used on edible crops, and should not be used to wash a car. Persons should limit body contact with the water.

You also can mention the following:

Experts from the firm of Jordan, Jones & Goulding, in a draft report presented to Oconee County in March of 2004, stated on Page 3-5:
"For Oconee County the surface streams with large enough flows to receive treated discharges are considered to be the Apalachee, Middle Oconee, and Oconee Rivers. The other streams, such as Barber Creek and Calls Creek, are considered to be too small to receive a substantial quantity of treated flow.

Remember, there is an alternative. The JJ&G experts told the county to phase out this plant and to build a new one on the Oconee River. That has never been openly discussed.

Lee




Lee Becker
lbbecker@mindspring.com

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