Head Wastewater Operator Nicholas Martin and Eric Lynne of Donohue & Associates discussed a Water Quality Trading Plan for the Wastewater Treatment Facility’s WPDES phosphorus limits with the Stanley City Council at the August 19 regular meeting. Lynne described how, in collaboration with the city, they have been exploring the most effective ways to utilize city-owned parcels to create credits for the wastewater treatment plant. The Wastewater Treatment Facility needs improvements in order to comply with a notice of violation with high phosphorus discharges. Phosphorus trading is a market-driven strategy that enables organizations such as wastewater treatment facilities and agricultural operations to collaborate in minimizing phosphorus runoff into water bodies. This approach fosters a mutually advantageous arrangement, allowing participants to earn credits for their efforts in reducing phosphorus levels. Currently the Wastewater Treatment Facility has a 0.075 mg/L effluent total phosphorus concentration level and this discharge limit is proving very difficult if not impossible to maintain. The Wastewater Treatment Plant feels that they can achieve an effluent phosphorus level of 0.17 mg/L.  

“What we came up with is what we feel like is a winning scenario,” Lynne said of the phosphorus trading that can bridge the gap between the higher concentration and the current permit requirement. “Working with the City we kind of deemed that some of those parcels are areas most likely able to live without. We didn’t take away the prime stuff that is going to get developed right away,” said Lynne. “Putting this in the program for five years gives the treatment plant some breathing room to get the DNR off their back because they are getting a notice of violation right now.” He added that after five years, the council can decide to continue with the trade agreement or upgrade at the treatment plant. “It’s only committing you for five years but it’s pretty cost effective for the time being for getting the phosphorus treatment accomplished.”  

Lynne explained that they are proposing to transition the city owned properties under evaluation for the trading agreement to natural prairie. “It gives you the best credit trade ratio so we can really minimize the size of those parcels.”  

Alderperson Mark Fitzsimmons asked if credits could be obtained from the solar panel properties. “Unfortunately, not,” answered Lynne. “We should have done that when the solar farm went in.”  

Alderperson Jason Meyer asked if there is a requirement to do tilling or planting with the prairie grass. Lynne said the trading rules aren’t very specific but the principal of having a natural prairie has specific guidelines on how to care for it and the Department of Natural Resources will set the parameters.  

Martin added, “We’re not giving the land to the DNR, we’re just utilizing it in a way that benefits the wildlife.”  

Meyer asked if the credits will degrade over time, and Lynne answered, “No.”

Martin shared that the credit program will almost double the limit from .075 mg/L to .15mg/L.

“We went from 1.0mg/L for thirty years to .075mg/L,” said Martin, who shared that the other option for the city would be to upgrade the filter system which would cost approximately two million dollars. “They’re not gonna last forever. They’re getting older every day,” Martin commented on the filters.

“The number will be easier to meet,” said Lynne, adding that the treatment plan would then be in compliance every day.  

“That’s what would be best,” replied Lynne when Meyer asked if the planting would be completed in Spring 2025. He stated that while planting could begin in the fall season, planting in spring is ideal. “In all reality you have to wait for that growth to happen. You’re not going to be able to capture any of these official credits, the way this works, until the roots are down, and the plants are actively preventing erosion.”  

Alderperson Jacob Huff agreed with the rest of the council to submit the agreement to the DNR with a larger piece of land for a total of seventy-six acres of land. “It’s going to buy us some time. This is going to make Nick’s (Martin) life a lot easier,” he shared. The city council unanimously approved the Stanley Wastewater Treatment Plant Phosphorus Trading Plan.

In other news

Stanley resident Katelyn Witt addressed the council to ask for a safe crosswalk for students and pedestrians to be painted at the intersection of Fourth Avenue and Franklin St. Witt explained that she worried for the safety of her own two children as they walked to school but also for the “numerous other children who use the same path to get to and from school.” She stated that there should be painted crosswalks and signs to notify drivers “to slow down and pay more attention.”  

“Let’s not wait for a tragedy to happen when we as a city can do our part to make Stanley safe,” she concluded. Mayor Mike Henke instructed City Administrator Nicole Pilgrim to coordinate with City Public Works Operator in Charge John Hoel to address the issue. Police Chief Lance Weiland mentioned that the Stanley-Boyd Schools conducted a Safer Routes to School study, and some of the safety issues would be addressed through that initiative.  

The Council voted to advertise for applications for a Public Works “floater” employee at a minimum wage of $22.00 per hour and a fringe benefit plan with wages based on qualifications.