| School board eyes
environmental concerns
By DAVE HAMRICK
dhamrick@TheCitizenNews.com
The Line Creek Association
wants Fayette's Board of Education to pay more attention to environmental
concerns in its construction projects.
Making a commitment to do so "will place this board in a leadership
role in environmental matters," said Dennis Chase, president of the
association, during the board's meeting Monday night.
Chase presented a series of color photographs
outlining the environmental group's feeling that there have been previous
problems with tree preservation, sediment control, erosion problems and
other environmental concerns at construction sites at Kedron Elementary
School, Fayette County High School and McIntosh High School, and problems
with the sewer system at Sandy Creek High School.
His aim, he said, is "to demonstrate problems from the past and suggest
a direction to go forward from here."
He asked that the board commit
to five steps to be followed by the board, its staff, contractors and
other officials representing the board:
1. Require all construction that affects streams and wetlands to be reviewed
and acted on in compliance with state and federal laws.
2. Comply with state laws and local regulations regarding sediment and
erosion control.
3. Meet or exceed local city ordinances on tree protection, setbacks and
provisions for green
space.
4. Prepare and incorporate into existing site development and construction
procedures environmental requirements outlined by the association.
5. Ensure, wherever possible, that all construction will meet or exceed
Fayette County environmental ordinances.
School Superintendent Dr. John DeCotis said he has discussed Chase's suggestions
with construction manager Mike Satterfield, and Satterfield "feels
it would not be impossible to meet all of these requirements.
We would have to work closely with the people who do the work for us and
make sure they understand," DeCotis said.
He praised Chase for his effort "to present something to us that's
workable."
Board members instructed DeCotis to work out a response to Chase's concerns
as an administrative matter rather than placing it on the board agenda
for a vote.
"I do think that these are some good ideas," said board Chairman
Debbie Condon.
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