News

Sewer plant opponents warn of urban sprawl

By Bill Moss, Published: February 7, 2024

While opponents warned that a new sewer plant on Clear Creek would cause urban sprawl that could overwhelm the apple country, supporters of the facility argued that the plant would replace failing systems that are polluting creeks and streams now. Preventing urban sprawl, they said, is the job of elected county commissioners.

“The impact on our environment would be positive,” Al Bernstein, a resident of Blacksmith Run, told water quality supervisor Lon Snider and other Department of Environmental Quality officials Monday night at North Henderson High School. “The new sewer system would replace several small, deteriorating treatment plants. Blacksmith Run (package plant)  and septic tanks will also be replaced, the elementary school, Justice Center and Camp Judea. Careful legislation and rezoning can be controlled to preserve our safety and resources.”

The DEQ hosted the hearing to gather public input on the sewer plant, which would be permitted initially to discharge 200,000 gallons of effluent a day into the creek, with a planned expansion up to 500,000 gallons,. The $21 million project also includes 6.9 miles of new sewer line. The Henderson County Board of Commissioners plan to use a $12.7 million state grant and $9.3 million in American Rescue Plan money to pay for the project.

Around 120 people attended the hearing Monday night. Among the 20 speakers, supporters of the sewer plant outnumbered opponents, although comments opposing the facility won the more exuberant applause.

“There are four major entities that will be adversely affected if this permit is not approved,” Gayle Cinke said. “No. 1, the summer camp with hundreds of children whose very old waste treatment plant would affect the attendance of this facility; Edneyville Elementary School was built in 2017 and is still on a septic system that has served its useful life; a development of 198 homes which is currently on a waste treatment plant; and lastly the state-run Justice Center, which serves as a training facility for state law enforcement and is on a very old, unreliable system.”

‘There will be no apple country’

Chuck McGrady, the former state representative who marshaled through major environmental legislation during his five terms in the state House, pointed out that Clear Creek is already classified as impaired because of the water quality.

“Second, the best way to provide sewer service to Edneyville is just to connect any sewer lines to the existing (city) sewer plant,” he said. “Third, this part of the county is known as the apple country — the largest apple producing area in the state.  There will be no apple county if this permit is granted. We’ll have urban sprawl from Hendersonville to Edneyville. Any sewer extension must be paired with stronger land use regulations.”

Here are other comments:

• Eva Ritchey said she doesn’t trust elected leaders to restrict development once the plant is operating. “This permit would allow 200,000 gallons of treated wastewater into the once Clear Creek,” she said. “Where is the line in the sand? Where do we say, ‘This far and no farther.’ My second reason for opposing this permit is based on 50 years of living in and observing political decisions in Henderson County. I have no confidence based on the record that the elected officials in this community will implement effective and strict land-use regulations to preserve the agricultural treasure that is Edneyville.”
• “Our community along with county commissioners have studied this issue for many years,” Deb Lyda said. “The urgent need for this treatment plant has been clearly established. A solution has been identified, planned and funded. We need this permit approved as quickly as possible.”
• “We pay taxes for Henderson County, but are not able to take advantage of connecting to public sewage treatment,” said Mary Elizabeth Callahan, of 3471 Chimney Rock Road,. “We are required to utilize archaic technology and handle our waste by a septic system. Which brings me to my next item of concern: runoff from the septic system” that could contaminate well water. “Approval of the Clear Creek wastewater treatment plan does not guarantee urban sprawl. That is the job of the zoning commission.”

• “You should be working with Henderson County to improve the health of this creek instead of permitting a new wastewater discharge,” said Nancy Diaz, southern regional director for MountainTrue. “I applaud Henderson County for making the choice to invest in improving water quality. However, a more environmentally sound and reasonably cost-effective alternative exists in connecting to the city of Hendersonville wastewater treatment plant, which has the capacity to treat and discharge additional wastewater. … A new wastewater treatment plant on an already impaired waterway is not the answer.”

• “Tonight I want to share a little secret,” said Suzanne Hale, of the Friends of Oklawaha Trail. “There's a new section of greenway being built along Clear Creek. It will run right by the creek under I-26 from the Oklawaha Greenway to the post office near Sam's Club and it'll be one of the prettiest sections of greenway in the county. … However, if a new sewage treatment plant upstream starts dumping treated sewage into Clear Creek it could ruin everything.”
• “We think there's a lot of problem with package plants, with the septic systems,” said Hartwell Carson, who is the French Broad River keeper. “But what we don't agree with is permitting a wastewater plant when there is a very reasonable alternative, which is connecting to Hendersonville. Hendersonville has the capacity, they're willing, they have the expertise. … While I do support the extension of a sewer line, I'm also a little hesitant because I love Edneyville for its rural character. If we're not careful, there's going to be a lot of urban sprawl.”
• Hunter Jones, an eighth generation native of the county, also warned against urban sprawl. “The reasonable foreseeable growth-inducing effects of the sewer system will amplify the land-disturbing activities and urbanization here in the community,” he said.

• Robert Griffin, who is Edneyville Fire & Rescue chief but said he was speaking for himself, said the plant could benefit apple growers. “I'd like to know how much of the apple crop was actually lost this year because they had nowhere to sell their stuff. It got left hanging on the trees,” he said. “Sewer could potentially bring industry in that would help the farming community.” He said he feared that if Edneyville used Hendersonville’s plant, the city would require users to be annexed. “If we don't do this, it's a good chance that we're going to end in the city of Hendersonville and right out 64.”

State law requires the DEQ to issue a decision on the permit by May 5. Snider said a decision will come after he sends his recommendation to the director of the N.C. Division of Water Resources.