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North vs. South
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■ LAKE LANIER LEVELS
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SB Dec. 3 1062.95 ft
SS Dec. 4 1062.93 ft
Mi Dec. 5 1062.93 ft
Dec. 6 1062.93 ft
MH.. Normal 1071.00 ft
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Forsyth County News
J Your "Hometown Paper" Since 1908 J
Vol
Private sewer
plant reaches
agreement with
EPD on repairs
Lanier Beach South consent
order requires updated facility
By Jim Riley
Staff Writer
Georgia Environmental Protection Division officials
met Friday with representatives from the Lanier Beach
South wastewater treatment plant and the Like Lanier
Association to find solutions to problems at the ailing
facility.
The result of Friday ’s meeting is a proposed consent
order mandating repairs and upgrades to the facility,
which has been in operation since 1971. In addition to
the repairs, the owners of the sewer plant would be
required to contract with the city of Cumming to pro
vide sewer service billing for customers of the facility.
The agreement would also require full payment of a
$6,400 fine assessed by the EPI) for several sewage
spills that occurred in the past 12 months
Critics ot the facility’s track record when it comes to
spills say the agreement doesn’t go far enough
I .LA President Jackie Joseph said another part of
the agreement would require the owners of the treat
ment plant to maintain a SS().(KK) escrow account for
repairs That account would be required to have a mini
mum of S2S,(XX) available at all times Joseph said the
$50,000 would be insufficient to ensure acceptable
maintenance
"We don’t feel these repairs will be satisfactory, nor
do we feel they will be long term." Joseph said
According to Joseph, a consulting firm hired by a
potential buyer has estimated the current needed repairs
will cost SIIO,OOO to put the plant in proper working
order
Lauer Beach South officials couldn’t be reached tor
comment on the proposed agreement
Before the proposed consent order becomes effec
tive, the EPD has set a 30-day public comment period
Concerned persons can scad comments to Ms
Kappitola Williams Manager/NW Region.
Environmental Protection Division, 4244 International
Parkway. Suite 114. Atlanta GA 30354
Lanier Beach South is also the subject ol a lawsuit
between the 1.1 A and the Forsy th County Commission
The I LA tiled the lawsuit, alleging the commission
\ lolated the Georgia open meetings law During a meet
ing Dec 28. 1998. the commission added to the agenda
a proposal by Deep Cove Inc. to build 36 cluster homes
in the area that would be serviced by the Lanier Beach
South plant.
The property was rezoned to a residential zoning
district with several conditions added, including a pro
vision requiring Deep Cove to put in escrow tap-on fees
tor the sewerage system Forsyth County would then
use 90 percent of the funds for plant repair. The com
plaint filed by the LLA alleges that the commission
improperly discussed the rezoning in a closed session.
The small, privately operated plant on the southern
end of the lake is permitted to discharge 38.(XX) gallons
per day of treated wastewater into Lake Lanier.
High schoolers can end year at special party
By Joda Browning
Staff Writer
On New Year’s Eve. Forsyth County high
school students will have the opportunity to
enjoy laser tag. putt-putt golf and dancing
without making a trip to another county.
From 9-11:30 p.m.. the Russell Building
in downtown Cumming will serve as a meet
ing place for teens in grades 9-12 to enjoy the
social event of the century free of charge.
The City of Cumming, Forsyth County and
the Celebration 2000 committee are the spon-
_ _ Pboto/Submitted
Now Open
City and county officials gathered Saturday for the ceremonial cutting of a board to
mark the opening of Lowe’s in Cumming. From left, store manager Alan Harkins,
Commissioners Michael Bennett and John Kieffer, City Councilman John Pugh,
Mayor H. Ford Gravitt and Councilmen Lewis Ledbetter and Rupert Sexton.
Please see page 2A for grand opening events scheduled through Sunday.
WEDNESDAY DECEMBERS, 1999
f—w ATHtNb
\ I
g is*
. Photos Tom Brooks
Tree of Lights
, ■ . Baptist Medical Center was the scene Saturday for the
a nn ua! lighting of the Hospice Tree of Lights, a Georgia
'a Baptist tradition that had taken place in downtown Atlanta
' ■F*****' prior to this year The North Forsyth High School choral
group (above) and a combined group of all three county high
KwSJSv—- - schools (below) sang traditional carols with the audience
1 gathered for the event.
, 'y- —— _• _____ __ j
Habersham plant has another sewage spill
Thousands of gallons of treated wastewater dumped into creek Friday
_X— ,m X present and water quality has not been affected
Staff Writer j t ls t h e second spill involving the Lanier Habersham
Utility Corp, in a week.
A pipe carrying treated wastewater from the Lanier Last Tuesday, a pumping station on Buford Dam Road
Habersham treatment plant to Lake Lanier ruptured failed, sending an estimated 6.000 gallons of untreated
Friday, sending from 10.000 to 20.000 sewage into the lake. ; .
gallons into a nearby unnamed creek that
flows directly into Lake Lanier.
The incident happened along Buford
Dam Road, east of the intersection of
Sanders Road.
Despite the size of the spill, the initial
report from the Georgia Environmental
Protection Division is that it shouldn’t
present a health threat.
"My feeling is that it should not be a problem because
it is treated effluent," said Mike Derek of the EPD.
Derek said spills of more than 10.000 gallons are usu
ally considered major incidents in such cases, water sam
pling is required monthly for one year in the vicinity of
the spill However, Derek added, the water in Friday's
spill had already been treated and was destined for a deep
water discharge He said the EPD is still studying whether
to do sampling in the area to ensure a health hazard isn't
sors for the Teen 2(XX) party.
This has been organized for the kids,"
said Catherine Amos, one the event’s orga
nizers. “It's a great chance for all three
schools to get together to bring in the new
year. A lot of time, effort and funding has
been put into (his to guarantee a good time
for the teens."
To get into the party, students must pre
sent a valid student ID card. Students from
high schools outside Forsyth County who are
attending the party as the guest of a local stu-
€6
These private
sewer plants are
continually
a problem...
99
dent must have a valid ID card from their
school. Visiting students also must pay sls
for admission. This guest ticket must be pur
chased at the door.
Homeschoolers must show their certifi
cate of attendance and proper identification.
A committee of students from each
school has helped organize the party and has
chosen the activities, disc jockey and games.
Activities will include a basketball shoot-out,
photo booth and refreshments at Case 2000.
Although planning has gone well, there is
Anglers report
suspicious catch,
but search of lake
comes up empty
Members of the Forsyth County Fire
Department dive team fortunately did not
find what they were looking for Monday in
Lake Lanier. •
The divers were searching for a body
after two fishermen reported to the
Department of Natural Resources that they
had snagged several long strands of human
hair Sunday night at Vanns Tavern Park.
DNR officials notified the fire department
and the search began early Monday morn
ing.
Ten divers looked 60 feet below the sur
face and swept the area three times before
officials decided to end the search Monday
afternoon.
"We didn't find a thing,” said Public
Safety Director Miles Butler.
Lanier Chief Ranger Mark Williams
of the U.S. Corps of Engineers
reported the second leak after he
observed a red warning light flashing as
he drove into work on Tuesday.
Williams said the raw sewage first
spilled into a pond on the right side of
Buford Dam Road and then through a
pipe into the lake.
He encouraged citizens who see the warning light to
notify the Corps at (770) 945-9531
Forsyth County Commissioner John Kieffer, who lives
in the vicinity, said private sewer is a growing problem.
"These private sewer plants are continually a problem
for the environment and for the citizens,” Kieffer said.
"This is even more of a reason that Forsyth County must
secure its own sewer treatment capabilities in order to be
able to take over some of these private plants."
still the need for community involvement.
"We still need a group or organization to
man the concession stand at the event." Amos
said. “This could be good opportunity to get
involved or as a possible fundraiser for the
organization."
All partygoers are encouraged to end the
nightby attending a fireworks display at the
Cumming Fairgrounds at midnight.
Groups interested in handling concessions
at the party can call the Cumming/Forsyth
County Chamber of Commerce
■ *" *•>’
j
DNR
L* ENFORCEMENT
Photo/Tom Brooks
A DNR boat takes diver to search near
Vann’s Tavern on Lake Lanier.
Despite Monday’s cold, drizzly weather,
most divers were reluctant to shed their gear
following the six-hour search.
"The water was actually warmer that it
was outside,” Butler said.