Support the Timberjay by making a donation.

Serving Northern St. Louis County, Minnesota

Crane Lake won’t pipe Bear Island sewage

Tom Klein
Posted 9/18/14

CRANE LAKE – A controversial proposal to run a sewage pipeline underwater to Bear Island has been officially discarded by the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District Board, which is instead focusing …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

Log in

Crane Lake won’t pipe Bear Island sewage

Posted

CRANE LAKE – A controversial proposal to run a sewage pipeline underwater to Bear Island has been officially discarded by the Crane Lake Water and Sanitary District Board, which is instead focusing on a managed sewage system for some portions of the Eastern Service Area.

The pipeline was one of several options developed by SEH Engineering for treating sewage generated on Bear Island, but drew protests from residents who voiced concerns about the environmental risks, the high cost of installing the pipeline (approximately $2.478 million) and whether it was necessary. A number of Bear Island residents have invested in state-of-the-art individual sewage treatment systems that St. Louis County had deemed compliant.

The board has shifted its focus to other options, including a managed sewage district where some individual treatment systems would be allowed but monitored and would require regular maintenance.

The board took a step toward establishing such a district by asking for an estimate from Jim Orton to conduct a comprehensive assessment report, also known as a CAR, for the entire Eastern Service Area.

Sara Heger, an extension specialist on water resources and sewage treatment, participated in the discussion via conference call and will be assisting on the effort if the board moves forward on the CAR.

The purpose of the CAR is to provide a comprehensive look at how sewage is being treated and whether the individual sewage treatment systems in place are compliant.

At a public meeting during the summer, Heger explained that there is no single solution for sewage treatment and that each parcel may have unique needs based on its soils, geography and use. In some instances, a holding tank could adequately handle the waste. In others, more advanced systems, ranging from mound to clustered mound or peat systems may be more appropriate.

For other locations, the best option might be to treat waste at the sewage treatment plant.

A CAR would examine all the options and provide a price tag for each option, she said.

Board Chairman Rob Scott said the district has received $750,000 in state bonding for the district and will get an additional $600,000 from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board. In addition, the district received word that it will receive $1.5 million in Lessard Legacy Funds.

In related news, the board agreed to have SEH Engineering complete a feasibility study and start design work on an expansion of the sewage line for the Handberg Road section.

The decision prompted some discussion during the public forum portion of the meeting. Some questioned the need to expand the sewage line and the high costs of the Handberg Road expansion versus the sewage usage in the region.