HomeMy WebLinkAbout2.0 BOCC Staff Report 12.17.2001BOCC t2ll7ljt
PROJECT INFORMATION AND STAFF COMMENTS
REOUEST: Review of the Proposed Grizzley Creek Wastewater Treatment
Facility and Recommendation to the Colorado Department of
Health and Environment, Water Quality Control Division, per
regulations 22, Section 22.4 (2).
APPLICANT:
ENGINEER:
Grizzley Creek Rest Area, CDOT
Edward Church P.E., CHURCH & Associates, Inc.
I. Description of the Proposll
The originalGrizzley Creek wastewater system was installed as an ISDS in 1990, with less than
a 2000 gallon per day capacity. This application is coming forward as a result of increased use of
the rest area and anticipated future capacity needs. The applicant is proposing to replace the
existing system with a Packed-Bed Filter (PBF) treatment system. The PBF system will consist
of a septic tank, recirculation tank, geotextile filters, and a disinfection system with surface
drainage. The treatment system is to be located north of the access road as indicated on Figure 6
(see attached).
The applicant has indicated that the site has single ownership by CDOT. There is no lease,
easement, or neighboring property owner agreements necessa.ry for the proposed improvements.
The system is to be operated and maintained by a certified wastewater system operator, by CDOT
personnel, or through a contract with a wastewater system management company. An operation
and maintenance contract is to remain in effect at all times. CDOT has taken on all financial
responsibilities for the successful operation and maintenance of the facility. Total project costs
for the facility are estimated at $1 12,370 with an estimated $2,500 operating costs per year.
II. Issues and Concerns
A. Lesal Process: To install a new sewage treatment facility, an applicant is required to
submit an Application for Site Approval for Waste Water Treatment Facilities to the
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE). The site application
is required to be reviewed by the County Board of Health, Board of County
Commissioners and Planning Authority. These entities are given three recommendation
options; approval, disapproval and no comment. The recommendation is to address the
following question:
B.
"Are the proposed facilities consistent with the comprehensive plan and any other plans
for the area, including the 201 Facility Plan or 208 Water Quality Management Plan, as
they affect water quality?"
The recommendations made by local governments are considered by the CDPFIE in their
approval or denial of the site application. If the CDPHE recommends denial of the
proposed site application, it can be appealed to the Colorado Water Quality Control
Commission.
Garfield County Comprehensive Plan: The PBF treatment facility is located in an area
identified as o'Open Space (Federal Lands)" in the Garfield County Comprehensive Plan
of 2000 - Study Area I, Proposed Land Use Districts Map. It should be noted that this
area is outside the boundary of study that tested for floodplain, slope, soil hazards, septic
constraints, surficial geology, and other hazards. These issues should be dealt with by
the applicant through extensive testing. The following are some relevant Comprehensive
Plan goals, objectives and policies:
Water and Sewqr Services
Goal: To ensure the provision of legal, adequate, dependable, cost effective and
environmentally sound sewer and water service for new developments.
Objective 7.5: Garfield County will strongly discourage the unnecessary
proliferation of private water and sewer systems.
Policy 7.1: All development proposals in rural areas without existing central
water and/or sewer systems wil1be required to show legal, adequate, dependable
and environmentally sound water and sewage disposal facilities can be provided
before proj ect approval.
Policy 7.4: Where I.S.D.S. is not feasible, Garfield will require a sewage disposal
system approved by the State of Colorado.
Comment: This application is intended to enable the Gizzley Creek Rest Area to
improve its ability to meet existing and future needs. Creating the new facility
will ensure the provision of adequate, dependable, and environmentally sound
sewer service for CDOT at this location. StaIf finds the proposal consistent with
Garfield County's goals, objectives, and policies.
Natural Environment
Goal: Garfield County will encourage a land use pattern which recognizes the
environmental sensitivity of the land, does not overburden the physical capacity of
the land, and is in the best interest of the health, safety and welfare of Garfield
CountY.
Objective 8.5: Development proposals will be required to address soil constraints
III.
unique to the proposed site.
Policy 8.1: Garfield County shall discourage and reserve the right to deny
development in areas identified as having severe environmental constraints such
as active landslides, debris flows, unstable flows, bedrock slices, major mudflows,
radioactive tailings, slopes over 25 percent, riparian areas and wetlands and
projects proposed within the 100 year floodplain.
Policv 8.5: The County will discourage development in areas where severe soil
constraints cannot be adequately mitigated.
Policy 8.7: Garfield County will require development on lands having moderate
or minor environmental constraints to mitigate physical problems such as minor
rockfalls, 17 to 24 percent slopes, minor mudflows, potential subsidence, high
water tables, slow percolation, radioactive soils, and/or corrosive and expansive
soits.
Comment: The applicants will need to conduct more site specific soils and
topographic investigation to address these elements of the Comprehensive Plan.
Any approval will need to be based on the completion of appropriate soils analysis
demonstrating the site is suitable for the proposed treatment plant.
C. Other StaffComments
Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment: CDPHE does not
review site applications until all of the local entities have made their
recommendations. This application is consistent with the State's consolidation
policy.
CONCLUSION
Staff recommends approval of the proposed site application with the following
comments:
l. The applicants should conduct additional site specific soils tests to determine the
environmental sensitivity and appropriate mitigation measures needed for the site.
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