http://savagerockbottom.com/
Area residents showed up at Patuxent Valley Middle School last Tuesday to learn more about the new sewer line being built through Savage Park alongside the Patuxent River. The comment period for citizen issues about the required permits from the federal government ends 5/14/2008
Residents heard about the need for the new sewer ,the proposed route and the expected environmental impact this would have.
The current sewer is not yet leaking, however, per Howard county officials it is dangerously strained by the load it carries. This new parallel sewer would carry the expected increased demand.
Several area residents questioned the rationale for having the sewer cross the river twice at a curve through private property, rather than stay parallel with the existing sewer line. The fear is that the sewer line would be more vulnerable to damage in crossing the river this many times. In addition there are questions of erosion at a curve in the river, as well as the negative impact on local wildlife and on the property value and use for the owner. ( Disclaimer- the blogger does not own the property, is unaffected by the sewer is not related to and has no particular ties to the property owner in question)
Other concerns involved the additional 20 foot easement( requiring some damage to the trees in the park) and additional 10 foot construction lane. Together with the existing 20 foot easement, this totals a 50 foot easement that cannot have as large a tree canopy by the river.
Copies of the planned sewer are available at http://savagerockbottom.com/ The comment period ends May 14. 2008
