The city of Spencer has constructed a sewage treatment plant. TN Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) issued a permit which would allow the plant effluent to be discharged into Dry Fork Creek, a Tier II (no degradation allowed) high-quality waterway. This discharge alternative was chosen as it is the least expensive to implement - dump it in the nearest ditch! Subsequently it was discovered that the creek follows a sink into one of the world's largest cave systems, then into Cane Creek and the Fall Creek Falls watershed. The Rumbling Falls Cave system contains the second-largest cave room in the nation, called the Rumble Room, and rare species of global significance.
Prompted by the Tennessee Environmental Council (TEC), Nashville Grotto, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility (PEER) and the Sierra Club, the TN Water Quality Control Board has twice considered the discharge permit, first reversing it, then on decision by the Administrative Judge, restoring it. The Sierra Club has filed a separate Petition to appear as Amicus Curiae (friend of the court). Davidson County Chancery Court has recently prohibited all discharge to Dry Fork Creek until a hearing on the full case set for May 23, 2002. The judge has ordered attorneys on all sides to take part in a settlement conference on March 26, 2002.
Additionally, the same four environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit last year against the TDEC, USDA and Spencer because an environmental impact study was not performed prior to issuing the permit for discharge, despite dedication of federal moneys to the project. EPA and environmental groups support a land application alternative; the Governor also supports an alternative discharge, which could be discharged directly into the Caney Fork River.
Check out:
How you can help:
Write to Commissioner Hamilton (TDEC):
Milton H. Hamilton, Jr., Commissioner
21st Floor, L&C Tower, 401 Church St.
Nashville, TN 37243
888-891-TDEC
(888-891-8332)
And write your state representative requesting that funding be dedicated to keep Dry Fork Creek and Fall Creek Falls State Park from being needlessly ruined. Our remaining natural places should not be victim to "Blind Progress."
For more information, contact John Harwood, Upper Cumberland Group Conservation Chair:
jharwood@tntech.edu
Last updated March 14, 2002 webmaster