Beaver Creek Clean River Project
Combined sewer overflows -- when sewers overflow during storms and sewage ends up in the Hudson River -- are a big problem for which the "Albany Pool" communities have a long term plan to address. A big part of that plan involves the sewer line that runs along the old course of the Beaver Creek in Albany -- and a new facility in Lincoln Park. (There is/was a public meeting about this Tuesday evening.) And Dominic Calsolaro is skeptical about using that location. [The Alt]
Say Something!
We'd really like you to take part in the conversation here at All Over Albany. But we do have a few rules here. Don't worry, they're easy. The first: be kind. The second: treat everyone else with the same respect you'd like to see in return. Cool? Great, post away. Comments are moderated so it might take a little while for your comment to show up. Thanks for being patient.
Comments
Contrary to popular belief the area’s name will not be reverting to “Martintown”
... said Daleyplanit on Apr 10, 2018 at 11:33 PM | link
Beaver Creek
It's about time that the big steps needed are finally being taken...(the city has in place rainwater displacement systems to feed into Washington Park Lake and ridgefield ball park....nice first steps, but not nearly enough)
As for Dominick's concerns...they sound valid, but practically speaking, the location is not really a "choice" but a necessity---gravity, the course of the beaver creek and the geography makes the Lincoln Park location an ideal catchment area. And there was no mention in the article of an alternative location or alternative solution... raising concerns is fine, but let's be blunt, we need constructive suggestions for alternatives...and not just complaints and objections.
The regional towns and cities still rely on the hudson as if it were still the 1800s, and it renders the river unusable---unhealthy for swimming or fishing, etc.
... said jsc on Apr 11, 2018 at 12:46 PM | link
@JSC
The effort to abate CSOs throught a regional program dates back to 2005. Several alternative abatement scenarios were considered (such as new full scale treatment facilities, more separation, and deep tunneling. The costs of these measures ranged from $500m to more than $1B. Far more than the local ratepayers could bear. The LTCP I've linked to is a comprehensive approach that will meet water quality standards and is a much less burdensome program at $136m.
Consider Middletown, Ohio, population 50,000. They recently entered into a 25yr, $269 million consent decree.
https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-doj-reach-agreement-city-middletown-prevent-sewage-discharge-great-miami-river
We're implementing a program that is truly one of a kind. There's nothing like it. Anywhere. In the entire US. It's going to improve water quality, meet state and federal standards, repair critical infrastructure, protect our public heath and economy and it will not break ratepayers backs.
... said Daleyplanit on Apr 11, 2018 at 1:38 PM | link
Is there a more detailed information package regarding the project?
Flyer inviting to a public meeting is great - but looking at the presentation given at that meeting would be even greater..
... said Mike on Apr 12, 2018 at 11:14 AM | link
Daleyplanit
sounds to me that you and I agree for the need, and I agree that the localities can't easily afford the solutions (at least Albany has some money, cities like Amsterdam have similar problems with fewer financial resources to address the repeated discharges and leaks into the Mohawk). This was formally identified as a national problem back in 1994 by the EPA. The State needs to step in and help...to protect the State's rivers...
This region is emblematic, but not alone with this challenge, many, dare I say most, municipalities have C.S.O. issues with their rivers (Mohawk Hudson, Susquehana, Delaware, Chemung)
... said jsc on Apr 12, 2018 at 1:56 PM | link
@JSC
Since kicking off the Long Term Control Plan program in 2007, the State has committed more than $30M to assist in implementation of the program. As there's several years, and projects left to undertake, I'm optimistic that support will increase substantially.
... said Daleyplanit on Apr 13, 2018 at 12:23 PM | link