The $15 Million Sewer Line to Nowhere?

On September 17, 2009, the ONWASA Board of Directors instructed staff to pursue Recovery Act funding through a USDA grant and loan program for several important infrastructure projects which included the Piney Green Phase II project. The program could provide up to 75% in the form of a grant and 25% in a loan for water and sewer improvements.

White Oak-New Riverkeeper Alliance provided a Letter of Support for the Northwest Water Reclamation Facility grant proposal. Through conversations with USDA, I learned that ONWASA has removed the Piney Green Phase II Project from consideration. I was at the April 15th Board meeting to express my concern.

This type of project is the reason why ONWASA was created and exists today. Yet again, it seems that ONWASA is ignoring existing communities in favor of using grant money to support new development.

Phase I of the Piney Green project included the construction of a $15 million sewer line that connected Hunter’s Creek to the French’s Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant aboard Camp Lejeune. The original plan was to use that line to extend sewer service all the way up Piney Green Road.

The two package plants that would be replaced by Phase II of this project, Collins Estates and Sherwood Mobile Home Parks, have a long history of polluting Rocky Run, Mott Creek and the New River. The later stages of this project will remove an additional 6 package plants’ discharge from the river, for a grand total of 8.

Installing the proper sewer infrastructure now, will both allow for growth and prevent the installation of new package plants in the area. The net environmental benefit from this project is huge. Both facilities are located in economically disadvantaged areas, most in need of this type of generous grant and loan benefit from the USDA, and pose significant environmental justice issues if they are neglected in favor of wealthier neighborhoods.

The only answer I received was during Board comment time. A couple of the Board members stated that they had no idea Piney Green had been removed from the funding request. I don’t know how that’s possible. They had to have Board approval to pursue the funding and the projects were specifically mentioned in the motion.  How could they pull one without Board approval?

I still have a lot of questions for ONWASA and its Board of Directors. Why did ONWASA spend $70,000 to develop a plan specifically to apply for the USDA grant, then suddenly withdraw the proposal? What is the future of the Piney Green project? Will they be pursuing other funding sources? Is the project itself in jeopardy? Why would you build a $15 million sewer line and then walk away?

I think ONWASA customers, the people of Onslow County and all those who use and enjoy the New River deserve answers.

You can watch the ONWASA Board Meeting HERE.