Keep our land - no to SKI

[keepyourlandnoski]

I'm very concerned about the increasing requests from the county to SIGN over permanent rights to our property for the SKI project.  If we all HOLD OUT and NOT sign the easement, the county can't force this "hack" and more expensive than regular sewer system on us.  (see FAQ 15 below)

In the meantime, I've contacted a lawyer.  I'm not a full-time resident on the island.  How do I get engaged in local groups that are fighting this?

Sincerely,

Mare

From QAC.org (www.qac.org/DocumentCenter/View/2674);

FAQ 15.  What if I REFUSE to give the County an easement to install a Septic Tank Effluent
Pump (STEP) assembly tank on my property?

The County cannot force you to grant an easement. If the easement is refused,
no work would be undertaken by the County on your property.

[Frank]

What is there to fight? If you don't want to be included, don't give them access.

[keepyourlandnoski]

Frank, love the way you think, but we could all lose land, and $ over this.

I've hired a lawyer. I will fight for me and for the residents of Kent Island. I'm not looking for money. I'm looking for voices to support so we don't lose money and land. My email is [e-mail], my cell is 703-786-0823.

STEP is more expensive than real sewer. I'm not a permanent resident and have city sewer in Fairfax County; we don't pay a lot less than $100-150/month for city sewer AND water. And, I found EPA studies where STEP systems leak over time...nice way to protect the environment and health, QAC!

The only true options are: 1) leave septic systems and replace failures, or 2) public sewer system.


QAC [HASH]15 response goes on to say:

However, once public sewer is available, you are required by law to connect and,
in addition; the Health Department holds the authority to order the connection to
the system. Also the property would still be subject to a full benefit assessment
and required to pay the same proportionate share of the project costs as those
homes that agreed to grant an easement.

If not installed by the County as part of the project, the cost of installation of the
STEP tank at a later date will be the sole obligation of the property owner with no
financial assistance from the County. In addition, your individual portion of the
secured $11.8 million State BRF grant may be jeopardized.

[keepyourlandnoski]

Edit to last reply (sent too quickly). We pay a lot less than $100-150/month for both water and sewage in Fairfax County. Plus, this the $100-150 is an estimate and it is probably going to increase over time. What government construction project comes in on or under budget?

[falgar25]

Are the original installation costs still included in your Fairfax sewer bill? If not, you probably should use $30 for the monthly cost here on Kent Island. The other $70 is to pay for the installation of the system, not the monthly usage.

The Fairfax cost might be lower due to the population density in Fairfax. A mile of pipeline in Fairfax will connect far more homes than a mile of pipeline on Kent Island.

A STEP system is a real sewer system. Another real sewer system is the gravity-fed system which is probably used in Fairfax. I imagine that due to Kent Island being flat a gravity system would not work. An option would be a forced system with regular pumping stations along the ten miles up the island. The STEP system will also require pumping to move the effluent up the island. The difference is the STEP system moves only liquids so the required pumps and piping can be smaller, less expensive, and easier to maintain.

All sewer systems leak over time. The FAQ mentioned the leaks in Centreville and this article mentions leaks in Fairfax County.

[kidoode]

Oh please, not another self styled sewer expert.

By the way, you are a little late to the party.

This problem has been studied to death for over 20 years while those homes continue to pollute the bay and lose value. I don't understand why they have any value left at all, except for the current sewer project.

All the approvals are there, the financing is there, and contracts are being let. Now you, in your infinite wisdom, decide that it should be stopped? Really, its all about you, right?

Ever hear the expression "the common good". Installation of that system serves the common good of the neighborhood, the Island, the County, the State, and the Country. If you don't want to play, there are lots of realtors that will help you sell your house.

Cripes, I am tired of the everything is fine, we don't need sewer, or lets study it some more, whiners.