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53 °F Forecast | Road Cams Thursday, November 25, 2004 Today's News | Classifieds | Autos | Homes | Jobs | Tempo | Health | Community | Home Delivery SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics Tempo AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map SPECIAL SECTIONS Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Menu Guide How To Guide Wellness Connection Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Wedding Guide Passport to the Rogue Valley EXTRA Newspaper in Education Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People MARKETPLACE Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Classifieds Place an ad eSouthernOregon Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar CUSTOMER SERVICE Frequent Questions Advertising Information Home Delivery Employment Contact Us Media Kit Network Affiliate Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend November 24, 2004 Ski area sewage permit comment deadline extended By PAUL FATTIG Mail Tribune The deadline for making comments on the proposed renewal of the Mount Ashland ski area’s sewage treatment permit has been extended to 5 p.m. Dec. 6. The deadline for making comments on the permit request to the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality had been Nov. 15 but was extended because a fax number released by the agency was incorrect, said Chuck Costanzo, a DEQ natural resource specialist. The correct number to make comments via fax is 541-479-2764. Anyone with observations or concerns about the permit is encouraged to comment, Costanzo said. What is officially known as a water pollution control facility permit was issued in 1999 to the nonprofit Mount Ashland Association for the construction and operation of a new sewage treatment system to replace the existing system and provide additional capacity for ski area growth. The permits must be renewed periodically. Advertisement The association’s permit allows for sewage flow of 15,750 gallons per day. The agency is proposing that the permit be renewed with some modifications, Costanzo said. The proposed permit requires the association to test the effluent from its treatment system unit every month the plant is in operation. The ski area operators will also be required to test the down-slope monitoring well every month of the year for nitrate levels. The system treats raw sewage by using aeration and mixing to accelerate the natural breakdown process, according to the DEQ. The biological sewage treatment system removes pollutants from sewage through microbial oxidation, producing a much higher level of treatment than a septic tank, officials explained. The DEQ monitors the test results and looks for any significant increases in pollution to ensure that human health and the environment are protected. The safe drinking-water standard is 10.0 milligrams per liter, and the samples from the monitoring well have never been above 0.5 milligrams per liter. To review the permit application and related documents at either the DEQ office in Medford or Grants Pass, call 471-2850, extension 21 for an appointment. A copy of the proposed permit and permit evaluation is available at the Medford library at 205 S. Central Ave. in Medford and the Ashland library at 410 Siskiyou Blvd. in Ashland. Comments can be sent through the regular mail to: Chuck Costanzo, 510 N.W. Fourth St., Grants Pass, OR 97526. For more information, contact Costanzo at 471-2850 extension 24, or by e-mail at [email protected]. Reach reporter Paul Fattig at 776-4496 or e-mail him at [email protected] Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2004 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback ADVERTISERS A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Auto Finder Job Finder Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Readers' Choice Real Estate Showcase Since We Asked Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Opportunities