Coolfont sewer system green-lighted by state
The state’s Department of Environmental Protection has given the go-ahead to the Carl M. Freeman Companies to build a $7.9 million sewer plant as part of its redevelopment of the former Coolfont resort. The Delaware real estate company bought the 800-acre property in November 2005.
State officials issued the permit on Thursday, February 11, just over a month after holding a local public hearing about the sewer system plans.
More than 100 residents attended that January 6 hearing, many speaking against the plans because of environmental concerns about Sir John’s Run and the Cold Run Valley area in general.
The permit will allow Freeman to build a sewer plant capable of processing 200,000 gallons of wastewater per day. Once the waste is treated, the water from the plant will discharge into Sir John’s Run, roughly 4.5 miles from where it empties into the Potomac River.
The Coolfont sewer plant will be able to process sewage for 2,500 residents in 1,200 homes under the current permit, though the sewer plant will be built with the capacity to handle waste from 5,500 residents — the estimated population of the “Villages of Coolfont” at full build-out.
State environmental officials limited the sewer capacity in order to meet new discharge limits under the Chesapeake Bay Initiative, which seeks to keep excess nitrogen and other nutrients out of waters that feed the Bay.
Freeman officials have said they don’t plan to begin any construction activities on the property until they see sustained signs of economic recovery.
Officials with the Warm Springs Public Service District have already agreed to operate the sewer plant following construction. That sewer utility operates Morgan County’s public sewer systems.
The DEP says anyone “adversely affected or aggrieved by the permit terms and conditions” may file a Notice of Appeal about the sewer permit by March 12.
Appeals about Permit #WV0105953 can be sent to the Environmental Quality Board, 601 57th Street, SE, Charleston, WV 25304.
