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Engineer and residents urge stronger ADEM oversight and independent river assessment
Summary
A civil engineer and multiple residents urged the Alabama Department of Environmental Management to require an independent assessment of the Flint River and to consider stronger legal authority for ADEM before deciding on the proposed permit.
A civil engineer and other speakers asked regulators to strengthen oversight and require independent study of the Flint River's current condition before granting any permit.
Ethan Moldofsky, who identified himself as a civil engineer, said the plant could persist if federal oversight weakened: "What happens if the EPA stops existing in the next few years? ... ADEM, you need to have more power," he said, urging legislative remedies and caution in permitting.
Wendy Oakley asked the department to discharge its duty "to protect its citizens" and called specifically for an independent assessment of how the proposed wastewater treatment plant would affect water quality.
Speakers did not present independent study results at the hearing and asked ADEM to consider commissioning or requiring such analysis during its review.
