Consent Order/Snowshoe & DEP

Author	Message
Martin Saffer Apr 25, 2008 12:04 pm	Consent Order/Snowshoe & DEP The Court approved the Consent Order between Snowshoe and the DEP today. The Judge said he did not think this Order would affect the PSC hearings. What do you think?
David Fleming Apr 25, 2008 12:33 pm	Re: Consent Order/Snowshoe & DEP I think it is a disappointing setback to the slowly but surely improving level of stakeholder involvement on this issue. The county commission made it clear at the last meeting that they and the community were working through this and needed more time. The approval of today's Consent Decree accomplishes two things: 1) It forgives Snowshoe of $2.5M in past permit fines, and 2) it validates this particular Supplemental Environmental Project (SEP) as a legitimate form of alternative punishment. The SEP is, of course, the transfer of Snowshoe Water & Sewer's (SWS's) sewage infrastructure to the PSD. As I understand it, today's ruling only states that such an SEP is valid; not that it has actually been executed or approved. I believe the upcoming PSC hearing will decide ultimately if that transfer takes place. Once the SWS sewage infrastructure would be transferred to the PSD, it is no longer Snowshoe's financial concern, and is very much the county's concern. The will of the community is meeting head-on with the wishes of Snowshoe at this stage. This isn't what Pocahontas County is about. We can do better. DF
Roger Sharp Apr 25, 2008 4:45 pm	Re: Consent Order/Snowshoe & DEP Since the Consent Order/Snowshoe & DEP was approved over the request of the CC for more time, it is now time for the CC to do their job. Thyeir job was to look out for the wishes of the people. That is what they were elected for. It is time for the CC to TELL and ORDER the PSD from taking ANY more action in regard to the sewer project. The PSD is an appointed board for the pleasure of the CC. Thge CC can remove all of them with 2 votes. The CC has spoken that the wishes of the people were to have more time to do this project right. If the PSD makes an attempt to approve or ratify the take over of the SSWT utility, there would be cause to remove them. The CC each and every one of them should be present at the PSD meeting and if this question is presented the CC should immediately move to remove the PSD members or declare the PSD meeting invalid before they accept the SSWT utility. Enough said. It is up to the CC as it always has been to get this under control.
Martin Saffer Apr 25, 2008 4:59 pm	Re: Consent Order/Snowshoe & DEP If the PSD takes a further step, you are right that is where the rubber will meet the road on this issue. The PSD is the only entity over which the County Commission has any influence.
Roger Sharp Apr 25, 2008 7:29 pm	Re: Consent Order/Snowshoe & DEP Martin I hope that you are using the word influence as a softer way of saying control. The CC by law controls or has authority to control the PSD. For heavens sake it is an apponited board. It might even be a good idea for the CC members to schedule an emergency meeting on this to direct the PSD not to take the Snow Shoe sewer utility. At least reserve the right for the CC to make that judgement in accepting the sewer utility from SnpwShoe. How is it that 3 non-elected people can saddle the whole County with a $2.5+ million liability ? And to make matters worst the PSD will show that $2.5 million utility as an asset on their books which will double the loss.

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