Friends of the Caney Fork take battle to state level
The Friends of the Caney Fork are continuing efforts to prevent the City of Spencer from venting wastewater from its sewage plant into the Caney Fork River. In a letter to members the group reported on the progress of this battle, which it recently took to the state level.
“On Dec. 9, 2003 a group of the Friends of the Caney Fork traveled to Nashville to attend a hearing before the State Environmental & Conservation Subcommittee. The Friends were represented by our attorney, Frank Fly and our experts, Dr. Jack Gordon, Richard Young and engineer Robert Warren. By the end of the day the Friends had presented a very compelling case against discharging into the river, with the best alternative being land application at approximately half the cost,” said Friends chairman Ricky Dunn.
“As part of our presentation, each member of the Subcommittee was given a copy of our 94 page report prepared by our experts. The report included a copy of a letter from J. Darin Lance to our attorney offering a free 99 year lease for land application of Spencer’s treated wastewater onto an 18 hold gold course under development located less than a mile from the Spencer Sewage Treatment facility,” Dunn added.
Dunn said members of the Subcommittee asked the Friends’ panel of experts several questions during the course of the meeting and also questioned representatives from the City of Spencer and their attorneys as well as state officials.
As no final recommendation was made or conclusion reached at the hearing, Friends of the Caney Fork plan to Nashville in January for a meeting with the full Committee of Environment & Conservation.
“Even though you may not be hearing or reading about the continuing battle, it is being fought on a daily, and occasionally, nightly basis,” said Dunn.
Recently Dunn, along with several Friends members, met with Congressman Lincoln Davis who was given a copy of the report. The Friends’ argument for land application appeared to be well received by Davis, according to Dunn.
The next public meeting for the Friends of the Caney Fork is scheduled for January 17, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. at the Rock Island Lions Club.
“Your continued financial support is badly needed as our attorney and team of experts is doing an outstanding job in representing us,” said Dunn, “but must be paid for their time and efforts.”
Mail donations to: Friends of the Caney Fork, P.O. Box 152, Sparta, Tenn., 38583.