| September 2021 |
By Joyce Blumenshine
The Washington City Council needs to add environmental impacts as a priority for their review of additional proposals for their new sewer trunk line. And, add into that, consideration of the costs of the new route for access and maintenance in the years ahead.
The Council voted to select a route in 2019, which was done without many citizens knowing what was happening. Local family members brought forward issues of concern, including destruction of hundreds of trees in a historic forest, steep ravines, existing wetlands, and additional erosion and harm to Farm Creek that were not fully considered or disclosed for the earlier vote. The previous Council vote was based on recommendations from Strand engineering, hired by the city to evaluate the sewer line routes. No information appears to have been evaluated or considered regarding ease of access and maintenance costs for the new sewer trunk-line route, which will likely be in operation for the next 25-30 years. There was also nothing regarding costs for removal of hundreds of trees in the Strand proposed route, which include giant walnut, sycamores, and some nearly 200-year-old oaks across challenging topography including steep ravines. This forest will never be the same if heavy equipment and this major construction project proceeds.
At a meeting earlier in August, a decision was made by the City Council to analyze alternative route evaluations. There are alternatives that are far less damaging to the environment and stay out of Farm Creek completely. It is hoped a more thorough evaluation with much more attention to detail will be given to the next review of possible trunk sewer line routes. Farm Creek is a Water of the U.S. and protection of this creek is of primary importance as it feeds into the Illinois River, which already has major siltation and pollution concerns. For more information see the Concerned Citizens of Washington Facebook page.