Calhouns Can(n)ons

The Hell With Waldo, Where's Tri-W?

Today's Tribune, writing about the recently released Environmental Impact Report for the proposed Los Osos Sewer, notes that "The environmentally superior project is locatd on the 645-acre Tonini property, which is bounded on its north and east sides by Turri Road."

Also, "This location was given a slight environmental edge because its large size would allow the sewer plant to be upgraded to the higher tertiary level of treatment at a future date."

And also, "A third of the effluent would be piped to the Broderson property off Highland Drive, where it would go into leach fields that would allow the water to seep back into underground aquifers." "But Public works planers devised the spray field option for the bulk of the effluent in order to alleviate concerns in the community that disposing of all of the effluent at the Broderson site would cause localized flooding in town because of high groundwater levels and other problems, [project manager Mark] Hutchinson said."

And that "The document also examines the contentious so-called 'Tri-W' parcel in the middle of town, but gives it a much lower environmental ranking." "As we say in the (environmental report,) we don't think the Tri-W site is feasible from a community acceptance perspective,'Hutchinson said. 'But people may have different values.'"

Oh, and this: "A gravity system would collect the sewage from homes and pumps would carry it to the Tonini property." Interesting, apparently, STEP systems need not apply?

And this, "It is estimated to cost $165 million, said Mark Hutchinson, project manager." [That estimate I presume is before the value engineering is done?) And again, no STEP estimates or comparisons listed in this story, at least. And also missing from this story, any mention of the "community survey," you know, the one wherein the County would present several options and let the community weigh in on which they wanted to "buy." Well, maybe that'll show up later . . . .if at all?

Well, the project will be discussed, 6 pm., Wednesday, Nov 19, at the Los Osos Middle School. Do arrive with your questions. The EIR will be posted on the county's website on Tuesday, there'll be printed versions in the library, and compact discs available as well.

Start yer engines. The Hideous Sewer Wars can, once again, commence. Chugga-chugaa