Nolichucky Discharge Permit

PUBLIC NOTICE The TDEC Division of Water Resources (DWR) proposes to issue a water quality National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit: Applicant: Denzil Bowman Wastewater Treatment Plant (Greeneville STP) Permit Number: TN0021229 Permit Writer: Jim McAdoo Rating: Major County: Greene EFO Name: Johnson City Location: 4520 Old Asheville Highway City: Greeneville, Tn Activity Description: Treatment of municipal sewage in an activated sludge plant followed by final settling clarifiers with chlorination Effluent: Treated municipal wastewater from Outfall 001 Receiving Stream: Davy Crockett Reservoir at Nolichucky River mile 47.5 Latitude: 36.11 Longitude: -82.84 The proposed permit contains limitations on the amounts of pollutants to be discharged, in accordance with Federal and State standards and regulations. Permit conditions are tentative and subject to public comment. For more information, or to review and/or copy documents from the permit file (there is a nominal charge for photocopies), contact Jim McAdoo at (615) 532-0684 or the Johnson City Environmental Field Office at (423) 854-5400. To comment on this permit issuance or proposed conditions submit written comments to TDEC-DWR, William R. Snodgrass - Tennessee Tower, 312 Rosa L. Parks Avenue, 11th Floor, Nashville, Tennessee 37243. Comments should be received within 30 days from the Legal Notice and should include the applicant name and NPDES Number. Interested persons may request a public hearing on any application. The request must be filed within the comment period and must indicate the interest of the filing party and reasons for the request. If there is significant interest, a hearing will be held pursuant to Rule 0400-40-05-.06(9)a, and the Director will make determinations regarding permit issuance. 9/24/15
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PUBLIC NOTICE The Town of Greeneville requests proposals for purchase and redevelopment of approx. 100 acres on Hwy. 172 in Hardin Industrial Complex. The Town is seeking developers, businesses or individuals who can provide private capital investment to the property and generate strong employment opportunities for Greeneville residents. For more information, visit www.greenevilletn.gov, click on "Town Government" and "Bid Portal." Proposals to purchase/lease must be mailed or hand-delivered to: Town Hall, Attn. Todd Smith, City Administrator, 200 North College Street, Greeneville, TN 37745. Deadline for receipt of proposals is 10 a.m. (EDLST) Oct. 1, 2015. 9/17/15

IDB Votes to Accept US Nitrogen Settlement

By Walter F. Roche Jr.






With only one dissenting vote the Industrial Development Board of Greeneville and Greene County has voted to accept the proposed settlement of a lawsuit challenging the legality of a key element of the US Nitrogen project.
The panel gave its expected approval after opponents of the project, including Park Overall, expressed their strong disapproval.
Charging that the IDB action violated its bond agreements, Overall said the agreement would not benefit Greene County or its citizens.
"This is not legal representation, this is corruption" she said in a prepared statement.
Casting the lone opposing vote was Greene County Mayor David Crum. Jerry Fortner, whose firm was a major contractor for the project abstained.
Among those voting in favor was J.W. Douthat, whose company sold extensive property to US Nitrogen.
US Nitrogen paid nearly $1 million for 2 Douthat properties. It later sold one of them, a 78.7 acre tract, to a third party for $550,000 a loss of about 35 percent.
Under the settlement the Old Knox Utility District will drop its objections to the free use of Nolichucky River water by US Nitrogen. Old Knox also will allow two other companies, Yara North America and Praxair, to use water from the Nolichucky. The specific language of the agreement would allow the substitution of another company for Praxair.
The suit filed for the utility district had challenged the legality of an arrangement allowing the companies to bypass the utility, thus avoiding the need to purchase water from the district.
The 11-page settlement agreement already has been approved by the utility district and US Nitrogen officials have announced their approval.
Any other companies seeking to use the pipeline would be required to give the utility district a 60-day right of first refusal to provide any needed services.
Also included in the settlement is a one time payment of $50,000 by US Nitrogen to the district, but half of that total would be set aside for services or improvements benefiting US Nitrogen or the other two companies.
US Nitrogen also has agreed to pay the district a minimum of $10,000 a month for potable water purchased from the district.
The settlement awaits only the approval of a judge to be finalized. The Old Knox Utility District already voted for its approval and US Nitrogen has also given its assent.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com

Opponents Prepare for IDB US Nitrogen Vote

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

With a key vote just days away, opponents of the $200 million US Nitrogen project are signing up for a chance to voice their concerns to the Industrial Development Board of Greeneville and Greene County.
The IDB has set an 8:30 a.m. meeting time on Wednesday to vote on the settlement of a suit that challenged the legality of a major aspect of the project: the free use of millions of gallons of water per day from the Nolichucky River.
Those wishing to speak at the session must notify the mayor's office at 798-1766 by 9:30 a.m. Tuesday.
Among those who have signed up to testify are Park Overall and Scott Hurley, an attorney who represents several of the US Nitrogen project. The vote comes as the  plant, which will produce tons of ammonium nitrate per week, is nearing operational status.
Under the settlement the Old Knox Utility District will drop its objections to the free use of Nolichucky River water by US Nitrogen. Old Knox also will allow two other companies, Yara North America and Praxair, to use water from the Nolichucky. The specific language of the agreement would allow the substitution of another company for Praxair.
The suit filed for the utility district had challenged the legality of an arrangement allowing the companies to bypass the utility, thus avoiding the need to purchase water from the district.
The 11-page settlement agreement already has been approved by the utility district and US Nitrogen officials have announced their approval.
Any other companies seeking to use the pipeline would be required to give the utility district a 60-day right of first refusal to provide any needed services.
Also included in the settlement is a one time payment of $50,000 by US Nitrogen to the district, but half of that total would be set aside for services or improvements benefiting US Nitrogen or the other two companies.
US Nitrogen also has agreed to pay the district a minimum of $10,000 a month for potable water purchased from the district.
Contact: wfrochejr999@gmail.com