Citizens raise concerns over draining, polluting Michindoh Aquifer

PIONEER, Ohio — "Save our water” was the outcry Monday night as several hundred citizens gathered at North Central Local High School in Pioneer, Ohio, to fight a proposed fish farm's wastewater discharge plan.

The Ohio EPA hosted the public hearing regarding a wastewater discharge permit filed by AquaBounty for a proposed aquaculture facility in Pioneer.

It was a “receipt of application” meeting, said Dina Pierce, media relations with Ohio EPA.

"We were telling people that AquaBounty has applied for the two permits — one to built the wastewater treatment system, the other to discharge the wastewater," Pierce said. "If Ohio EPA moves forward, draft permits would be issued with specific requirements for the company to meet. If draft permits are issued, another public comment period and most likely another public meeting would ensue."

If approved, the water for the egg-to-filet salmon hatchery would be drawn from the Michindoh Aquifer at a rate of about 5 million gallons per day. The treated wastewater would be discharged into the Maumee Watershed at about the same rate per day.

Citizens were concerned about both issues. However, the only role of the state's EPA is to determine if the plan for discharged wastewater meets its standards — then to monitor it, should the facility open.

The groundwater withdrawal permitting is done by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Pierce said. "Ohio EPA understands it is of major interest with the public. However, Ohio EPA has no role in that decision."

EPA staff laid out the AquaBounty proposal and attempted to address questions before opening the floor for public comment. During public comment they did not respond to questions, as per rules of order.

The Michindoh Aquifer does not follow state lines and is underground in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana. The Maumee Watershed empties into Lake Erie.

The main concerns Monday were a fear the Michindoh Aquifer will be drained and that polluted water will be discharged into the ecologically challenged Lake Erie.

Water levels and potential flooding were also concerns of homeowners and farmers along the watershed. Several also voiced concerns about the genetically modified salmon the company is planning to raise. How will the medications and applications affect the water?

Other questions centered around the facility generating a high volume of waste and asked how it will be disposed?

Concerns such as flooding and the environmental impact are under the authority of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

Heather Lauer of the Ohio EPA Public Interest Center, repeatedly thanked citizens for their insights and asked they enter those statements for public comment. Public comment makes a difference she assured them, but they needed to make the statements on the record, not just as questions.

Ashley Ward and Erin Sherer, of Ohio EPA central office, answered the questions that pertained to the EPA’s role.

Ground has been broken and already millions spent in Pioneer toward the AquaBounty project.

The EPA role is to determine if the project checks all the legal boxes, Pierce said.

Over the years, the EPA has learned much from public comment, she said. Locals know more about the area and that knowledge gives the EPA insight on additional requirements it could require.

The permit application by AquaBounty was filed June 13. Ohio EPA had 180 days before handing down its response.

This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Ohio EPA holds public hearing on AquaBounty permit request