Oconee County Officials Pass Over State Denial Of Request For Waste Load Allocation For Sewer Plant

At Two Meetings

Oconee County Board of Commissioners Chairman Melvin Davis told the county’s Industrial Development Authority yesterday (Monday) that the state has granted the county a waste load allocation of 1.5 millions gallons per day for its Calls Creek wastewater treatment plant.

What Davis didn’t tell the IDA members–and what they didn’t ask about–was the Georgia Environmental Protection Division’s decision to deny the county’s request for a waste load allocation of 3 million gallons per day of discharge from the county’s plant.

Scheduled Meetings In Oconee County Focus On Bishop Bypass, November Election, Wastewater Plans

Free BBQ

Positively Oconee, a citizen group concerned with the proposed widening of U.S. 441 in the south of the county, is inviting people to a program Wednesday evening on the proposed Bishop Bypass, the land the roadway will traverse, and Greenbriar Creek, which the bypass could cross.

The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the Thomas Cotton Gin, 3782 Greensboro Highway (SR 15), south of Watkinsville, and the first 100 persons in attendance will receive a complimentary BBQ dinner.

Marcus Wiedower Said He Would Help Oconee County Board Of Commissioners Become More Proactive In Dealing With Challenges

Wide Ranging Interview

Marcus Wiedower said he will bring his listening skills and his planning skills to the Oconee County Board of Commissioners if voters select him for Post II in the special election on Nov 8.

“All I do all day long is plan,” said Wiedower, a custom home builder, in an hour-long interview. He said he will bring to the Commission “an educated, experienced voice” that “has a planning background.”

Chuck Horton Said He Brings Experience To The Race For Oconee County Board Of Commissioners

In Interview

Chuck Horton said his experience and background will allow him to “hit the ground running” should he win the open seat on the Oconee County Board of Commissioners in the special election on Nov. 8.

Because of his service on the Board of Education, Horton said he understands the need for the Board of Commissioners to think through the implications of decisions it makes on the county’s schools.

BOC Candidate Ben Bridges Said He Wants To Be The Voice Of Oconee County Citizens

In Hour-Long Interview

Ben Bridges says the county is growing too fast and it is time to slow down for a little while to take stock of where things are.

He also says that water and sewer are the biggest challenges facing the county.

Georgia Environmental Protection Division Denied Oconee County Request For Expanded Waste Load Allocation

For Calls Creek

The Georgia Environmental Protection Division has denied Oconee County’s request for a 3.0 million gallons per day waste load allocation for Calls Creek, saying the stream is too small to handle the treated effluent.

The denial means that the county will have to change its plans to upgrade its Calls Creek wastewater treatment plant on the outskirts of Watkinsville, run a sewer line down Calls Creek, or find another way to discharge treated sewer water from an expanded Calls Creek plant into the Middle Oconee River.

Oconee County Issued Land Disturbance Permit For Expansion Of Epps Bridge Centre

Land Remains In Gordy Family Hands

Oconee County on Sept. 15 issued a permit for land disturbance activities for expansion of Epps Bridge Centre, but it has not yet issued a second permit that would allow for installation of site infrastructure.

The county permit followed approval on Aug. 18 by the Oconee River Soil and Water Conservation District of an erosion and sediment control plan submitted by Oconee 316 Associates LLC and developer Frank Bishop of Atlanta for the 54 acres for the shopping center expansion.