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Churchill County opposes the state's tentative decision to issue Bango Oil a temporary discharge permit to spread effluent on its property.
As a result, the county will send a letter to the state requesting a public hearing.
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection stated it made “the tentative determination to issue this temporary discharge permit for six months.” The permit will allow 14,000 gallons per day of effluent to be discharged onto the ground.
Bango Oil, under order from NDEP, was instructed to build an oil removal treatment works and to use the treated effluent on the company's property for dust control. The company remains the prime target of residents who claim a noxious odor emanates from the oil re-refining facility.
County Planning Director Eleanor Lockwood urged commissioners to request a public hearing regarding the permit because both residents and county officials are not clear on the state's process when it issues permits or if NDEP considers individual community conditions. Also, Lockwood wants to know if NDEP can monitor the soil conditions once the effluent is spread.
“We also want NDEP to consider that Churchill County has a special use permit in effect,” Lockwood said, adding the county would like the temporary permit to be subject to the county's special use permit.
County Manager Brad Goetsch said he is concerned about the amount of the effluent, whether NDEP can monitor it effectively, if percolation tests were done, if the water table will be monitored or considered and if the practice will continue during wet seasons.
“This is just a cheap way to get rid of dirty water,” said Don Mello, a resident who has been outspoken about the odor he claims comes from Bango Oil.
Mello questioned the number of gallons tentative approved for disposal onto the ground and wondered how the company could have that much waste water.
Commissioner Norm Frey also questioned whether NDEP gathered baseline data for soil sampling and if the agency plans to monitor soil conditions in the future because, he said, oily products will eventually accumulate or migrate to other properties.
Frey also recommended the county request NDEP retain records on soil conditions more than the standard three years, to monitor the air quality of the dust and regular soil sampling.
Other items discussed at the June 17 commission meeting:
• A bid was awarded to Hellas Construction for $99,950 to resurface tennis courts at Oats Park and Regional Park, and the city of Fallon will pay for its share of resurfacing costs at Oats Park.
• The county approved a renewal with Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool and will raise its deductible to $50,000. The insurance program's cost increased by nine percent, so raising the deductible will bring the premium to $354,204.
• Two bills were approved to complete development agreements between the county and PCCP LB VI-II LLC and Verner Homes of Nevada for the Willow Park planned unit development, and with Truckee River Ranch for the Sage Springs planned unit development.
• The fiscal year 2008-2009 budged was augmented.
• Rex Massey provided an update on the Yucca Mountain Oversight Program and the contentions Churchill County is involved in.
• Rudy Malfabon, deputy director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, presented NDOT's work program for Churchill County. NDOT has seven major projects in the county during fiscal year 2010.
• Columbarium rates for the new columbarium at Churchill County Cemetery were set. The rates are $350 per niche with an open/close fee of $150. Double occupancy will be an additional $200 plus the open/close fee.
• Two vehicles and an aerator were declared surplus and will be sold at the June 27 auction.
• Bjorn Selinder with Public Policy Innovations, the county's lobbyist, presented a review of the wrapped legislative session and the potential effects of several pieces of new legislation.
• New tax rates were released from the Department of Taxation. Churchill County's tax rate will be $1.2229 if certified by the Tax Commission on June 25.
As a result, the county will send a letter to the state requesting a public hearing.
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection stated it made “the tentative determination to issue this temporary discharge permit for six months.” The permit will allow 14,000 gallons per day of effluent to be discharged onto the ground.
Bango Oil, under order from NDEP, was instructed to build an oil removal treatment works and to use the treated effluent on the company's property for dust control. The company remains the prime target of residents who claim a noxious odor emanates from the oil re-refining facility.
County Planning Director Eleanor Lockwood urged commissioners to request a public hearing regarding the permit because both residents and county officials are not clear on the state's process when it issues permits or if NDEP considers individual community conditions. Also, Lockwood wants to know if NDEP can monitor the soil conditions once the effluent is spread.
“We also want NDEP to consider that Churchill County has a special use permit in effect,” Lockwood said, adding the county would like the temporary permit to be subject to the county's special use permit.
County Manager Brad Goetsch said he is concerned about the amount of the effluent, whether NDEP can monitor it effectively, if percolation tests were done, if the water table will be monitored or considered and if the practice will continue during wet seasons.
“This is just a cheap way to get rid of dirty water,” said Don Mello, a resident who has been outspoken about the odor he claims comes from Bango Oil.
Mello questioned the number of gallons tentative approved for disposal onto the ground and wondered how the company could have that much waste water.
Commissioner Norm Frey also questioned whether NDEP gathered baseline data for soil sampling and if the agency plans to monitor soil conditions in the future because, he said, oily products will eventually accumulate or migrate to other properties.
Frey also recommended the county request NDEP retain records on soil conditions more than the standard three years, to monitor the air quality of the dust and regular soil sampling.
Other items discussed at the June 17 commission meeting:
• A bid was awarded to Hellas Construction for $99,950 to resurface tennis courts at Oats Park and Regional Park, and the city of Fallon will pay for its share of resurfacing costs at Oats Park.
• The county approved a renewal with Nevada Public Agency Insurance Pool and will raise its deductible to $50,000. The insurance program's cost increased by nine percent, so raising the deductible will bring the premium to $354,204.
• Two bills were approved to complete development agreements between the county and PCCP LB VI-II LLC and Verner Homes of Nevada for the Willow Park planned unit development, and with Truckee River Ranch for the Sage Springs planned unit development.
• The fiscal year 2008-2009 budged was augmented.
• Rex Massey provided an update on the Yucca Mountain Oversight Program and the contentions Churchill County is involved in.
• Rudy Malfabon, deputy director of the Nevada Department of Transportation, presented NDOT's work program for Churchill County. NDOT has seven major projects in the county during fiscal year 2010.
• Columbarium rates for the new columbarium at Churchill County Cemetery were set. The rates are $350 per niche with an open/close fee of $150. Double occupancy will be an additional $200 plus the open/close fee.
• Two vehicles and an aerator were declared surplus and will be sold at the June 27 auction.
• Bjorn Selinder with Public Policy Innovations, the county's lobbyist, presented a review of the wrapped legislative session and the potential effects of several pieces of new legislation.
• New tax rates were released from the Department of Taxation. Churchill County's tax rate will be $1.2229 if certified by the Tax Commission on June 25.
