HomeMy WebLinkAboutDocumentation_Regular_Tab 10I_5/19/1996 .4.
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:Memorandum
To : Village Council
From: Thomas G. Bradford, Village Manager
Date : May 1, 1996
Subject: Tequesta Involvement with ENCON in Addressing
Pollution Sources of the Loxahatchee River; Agenda Item
As you know, on April 18, the ENCON Governing Board voted 3-2 to
postpone any action on the installation of sewers on the Tequesta
Peninsula, with the condition that Tequesta would work with ENCON
prior to its next Governing Board Meeting on a plan to jointly
address the problem. Mayor Mackail and I are scheduled to have
lunch with George Gentile on May 2 in order to further explore
the same. We will up-date you at the Village Council Meeting on
our discussions with Mr . Gentile. .
It would seem to me that the basis for a collaborative effort
between Tequesta and ENCON should not just be limited to
elimination of septic tanks, particularly if they are found to be
non-polluting to the River, but rather comprehensive in scope to
include such sources of River pollution as stormwater run-off,
agricultural runoff and others . Additionally, there does not
seem to be any room to work with ENCON relative to installation
of sewers unless ENCON first addresses the numerous discrepancies
within its Harbor Branch Study to the satisfaction of the
affected citizens and Tequesta Officials, including consultants .
For purposes of discussion, let us assume that this occurs . If
so, the following is a suggested outline for possible pursuit of
a Tequesta collaborative effort with the ENCON Governing Board
toward the enhancement and protection of the Loxahatchee River.
1 . Re-address the methodology, practices and procedures used in
the Harbor Branch Study used to allegedly pinpoint pollution
to the River from septic tanks .
2 . Develop a regional (River Basin and/or District-wide)
approach to River enhancement.
3 . Identify, quantify and rank in order of significance, the
known sources of pollution to the Loxahatchee River.
4 . Establish a task force of Tequesta and other Loxahatchee
River District residents to oversee the process .
5 . Establish a five to ten year comprehensive plan for
addressing the most significant sources of pollution to the
Loxahatchee River.
6 . Address joint funding through the creation of an interlocal
agreement.
f ,
7 . Consider linkages between municipal stormwater utility
activities and ENCON to address this significant source of
pollution, particularly in areas where stormwater problems
are regional (Dover Ditch) and/or ENCON resources and
expertise exceeds that of a municipal stormwater utility.
8 . Consider amending the Tequesta Sewer Franchise Agreement to
accurately reflect the relationship between Tequesta and
ENCON by virtue of the aforementioned process and to
properly delineate the duties and responsibilities of each
party to the Agreement .
This outline, whatever its final form, should be flexible to
allow for appropriate responses to circumstances discovered. A
long-range plan with meaningful efforts to protect and enhance
the River can certainly be achieved. This is even more likely if
both Tequesta and ENCON are able to put aside past differences
regarding septic tanks and sewerage systems .
TGB/krb