THE HERITAGE –A HEALTH ISSUE FOR THE HAMLET

by Howard Meinke

Across the street from the Cutchogue Post Office is a site of great controversy. Forty-six acres of open land has been proposed for development of an over-55 condominium community known as The Heritage, consisting of 139 units -- each with over 2000 square feet living space plus a swimming pool, clubhouse and various amenities. This project is in an HD (hamlet density) zone, which allows one residence per quarter-acre, and it requires either public water or a sewage disposal system.

Since the SCWA (Suffolk County Water Authority) water map does not show public water at this location it is up to the town to request water if they think it is the best solution. The project’s developer can supply a private sewage plant in the absence of public water.

The surrounding residents are concerned about drastic traffic increases and the likelihood of subsurface pollution contaminating their private wells as well as nearby Wickham’s creek.

The rational for approval of this project by the Suffolk County Health Department (SCHD) is questionable. SCHD has assumed public water to be available. This may or may not come to pass. An argument for tighter scrutiny and realistic regulation appears below.

According to the Environmental Assessment Review of the plan for The Heritage of March 30, 2007, the maximum allowable sewage discharge for this property (if handled by individual septic systems) is 22,625 gallons per day. The original 150-unit proposal for The Heritage discharged just a small bit over the 22,625 gallons allowed and a Chromaglass sewage treatment system was proposed.

The current plan, which calls for 139 units, discharges 21,615 gallons, a very small amount under the maximum limit, and no treatment plant is required. This plan is based on the theory that retirement housing only produces 150 gallons of flow per day while standard housing produces 300 gallons.

Then in July, 2008 the SCHD regulations were changed so that:

Residential units less than 600 sq. ft. produce 100 gallons
Residential units 600 to 1200 sq. ft. produce 150 gallons
Residential units over 1200 sq. ft. produce 300 gallons

The Heritage residences are currently designed to be well over 2,000 sq. ft. per unit.

If you apply the July regulations to the current project;
139 units at 300 gallons - - - 41,700 gallons
Obviously Sewage treatment is required.

The project could support 74 units at the 300 gallon criterion without the necessity of on site sewage treatment.

Obviously, the sewage flow criteria listed above were developed by SCHD in order to protect public health and environmental health. Therefore, as our knowledge is increasing over time it is clear that as new refined regulations are developed, they should immediately be put into effect.

We believe that it is logical to conclude that over time the discharge of maximum levels of concentrated waste could well migrate downstream in the subsurface flow of ground water and pollute wells and pristine water bodies. Previous testimony about the pollution of the Forge River in Brookhaven is case in point. Why risk repeating this disaster?

There are many instances of foreign material in our Southold well water and subsurface water. Fertilizers and pesticides come to mind as does Temik.

Erring on the side of health and the environment is obviously the right direction to go. Our natural assets, like the underground aquifer are easy to pollute and difficult to fix.

Requiring a private sewage treatment for these high density discharge situations should be a “no brainer.” Another alternative would be to allow only the safe, lower density development.

It was suggested at the Town Board meeting on November 5, 2008 that a consultant, an expert in subsurface water flows, the migration of in-ground pollution and etc. might be able to add weight to these ideas. The SEQRA report, financed by the developer, is to be required to include a consultant’s investigation into this problem. The Board members discussed what they see as a pro development, pro public water, and pro sewer plant mentality at the SCHD.

This all gets very complicated as we try to sort out the best mix of development for the HD and HB zones, balancing the ability to achieve affordable housing with economic practicality, human health protection, environmental sensitivity and respect for our Southold’s rural character.

This debate is still raging.

We urge you to attend the Planning Board and Town Board meetings and make your voice heard on this issue. Meeting dates, times and agendas can be found on the town website at http://southoldtown.northfork.net/index.htm