Big Lake sewer plan in mediation

The stalemate over a joint powers agreement between the Big Lake Area Sanitary District and the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa required a mediation session this week. Results of that effort, which began Wednesday, were not available when this issue of the Pine Knot News went to press. The mediation was agreed upon by both bodies in an effort to finalize a deal that would allow a release of funding and construction of a new sewage collection system in the Big Lake area in order to improve the lake's water quality.

The project has been in the works for more than 10 years. Studies have shown that more than half of the existing individual systems in the lake area do not comply with state codes for setback requirements from wells, the lake, buildings or separation distance to groundwater. It means sewers are leaking into the lake and affecting water quality. More than half of the lake lots lake space to install a proper system.

The district plan is to run lines around the lake with extension to residences, much like a city does.

In May, the sanitary district board demanded that the band's Reservation Business Committee respond and clarify its opposition to signing the agreement. The two groups had an original joint powers pact signed in 2008, which stated their mutual interest in protecting Big Lake. A new agreement is required to trigger federal and state funding programs to begin construction on the sewer project.

The band told the board in June that the project as proposed was "not acceptable."

In a letter to district board chairman John Fredrickson, RBC vice chairman Bruce Savage wrote that the band was concerned about the "cost, fairness and control" of the project. It said the expected monthly sewer service cost of $100 is too much for band members to bear. Of the 286 customers in the Big Lake area, 79 are band residences. There are 108 non-band residences, 93 seasonal properties and six commercial properties.

The RBC also said the project "provides a disproportionate benefit" to non-band landowners and that the RBC didn't have enough control over the project despite it taking place on tribal land.

The district board has said the funding package is in jeopardy without band cooperation and it's the "best anyone can ever hope for." Alternatives without band agreement will only raise the rates needed from homeowners to cover construction and operating costs, it said.

When reviewing the RBC letter with its objections, the district board in June decided to look into a mediation process. The plan was to employ a two-room process with a neutral facilitator moving between the district board members and the RBC members. The RBC agreed to the process.

The project was expected to break ground this past spring. Federal and state funding will expire in 2021.

Gary Harms lives on Big Lake and is the chairman of the Perch Lake Township board. He also used to serve on the sanitary district board.

He said there is "overwhelming support" in the area for the sewer project.

"Most people around here feel it's a good investment," Harms said. While he balks like others at the $100 he'll have to fork out each month for his sewer bill, he said it beats having to put in a $20,000 tank system. The sewer project will add value to properties on the lake, he said.

He said despite the RBC saying the rate system isn't fair to band members, everyone in the district has to pay the same rate. Harms said he hopes the RBC can "come to grips" and be "reasonable" when it comes to the mediation.

"It's a unique project," he said. "It's a good project."