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Monday, September 26, 2005

Environment - More recent stories

Septic systems. The Monticello Herald Journal reported here last week that the "New septic ordinance passes first step." Some quotes:

White County is moving closer to adopting its own septic onsite sewage disposal ordinance that will, among other needs, provide standards and guidelines for septic tank installation. * * *

The ordinance will provide a certification program for contractors and individuals who would desire to install their own septic tanks. It also outlines requirements for sewer connections and private onsite sewage disposal systems.

A confusing story from the Kosciusko County Times-Union headlined "Barbee Residents Hear From State Health Dept. Director" caught my eye, as it quoted "Health department director Bob Weaver" at length, who is not the Indiana state health director/commissioner or even in their phonelist. The story also reports:
Weaver said the Indiana department of Environmental Management can mandate a sewer system and that State Rep. Dave Wolkins (R-Winona Lake) was chairman of the department.
CAFOs. The Richmond Palladium-Item reported last Thursday:
The Wayne County Board of Commissioners isn't quite ready to approve the special exception ordinance dictating where large farm operations can go in the county.

It will send the proposed ordinance requiring a special exception for confined feeding operations (CFOs) back to the Wayne County Advisory Plan Commission at its Oct. 5 meeting. The plan commission will take up the issue at its Nov. 17 meeting.

The commissioners want the plan commission to reconsider one item: the setback distance of 660 feet from any existing residence, business, public recreation area or golf course for manure application or confined feeding operation placement. They would like the plan commission to reconsider the setback based on the type of manure application that is taking place. Manure applications include injecting the waste several inches below ground or spreading it on top of the ground.

More on Tondu. From the Sept. 23rd LaPorte County Herald Argus:
SOUTH BEND — While the formal meeting where a proposed coal-gasification plant was voted down took less than an hour, the group formed to oppose the power plant hopes its cohesiveness lasts.

The St. Joseph County Council voted against Tondu Corp.’s proposed electricity-generated power plant Thursday by a vote of 7 to 2 — drawing loud applause from an audience of about 300. * * *

The vote came a week after the council voted to table any decision until wording addressing residents’ environmental concerns was written into the proposal for Tondu’s special-use permit.

Even the inclusion of those environmental limits, however, didn’t matter.

Joe Tondu, president and owner of Tondu Corp., was at last week’s meeting, but wasn’t present Thursday night. Company representatives who did attend the meeting left quickly after the council’s vote and couldn’t be reached for comment today.

Even those council members who were in favor of the project said they didn’t make the decision lightly.

“It’s been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve ever had to deal with,” said Andrew Kostielney, R-District B. “This issue is a land-use issue … is this an appropriate use for this property?”

Kostielney pointed out the property is currently zoned manufacturing and a special-use permit had already been approved for Allegheny Energy. He also said he worried about the possible economic loss to St. Joseph County’s tax base.

For other Tondu and coal gasification stories, use the search box in the right column.

Posted by Marcia Oddi on September 26, 2005 06:15 AM
Posted to Environment | Indiana economic development