Conservation District questions Gateway project permits

DINGMAN — The county and state are challenging his associated land clearing — and some neighbors are concerned about treated effluent from a proposed sewage treatment plant — at Dominic “Dino” Bradlee’s Gateway development. The Gateway project, located on state Route 739, opposite Wachovia Bank, is expected to contain 730 residential living units, retail stores, and medical facilities. Bradlee is proposing to build an onsite sewage treatment facility to process as much as 300,000 gallons of sewage a day and discharge the tertiary effluent into Dwarfskill Creek. Pike County Conservation District Manager Susan Beecher said, “We have been working with the Department of Environmental Protection and are waiting to have an enforcement conference, which will include Bradlee, to assess penalties for violations.” PCCD claims Bradlee is cutting trees, removing stumps, and grading earth on the Gateway Project without a permit and doing nothing to prevent soil erosion. They estimate that Bradlee has disturbed over 20 acres of earth in this manner. Beecher said DEP issued a stop work order for non-compliance violations on April 28. This will remain in effect until Bradlee gets all areas stabilized and files the proper permits. “We don’t file charges; we initiate enforcement action for violations of erosion control regulations and are working with the DEP,” said Beecher. “This is not a criminal action; it is an administrative action. Civil penalties may be assessed against Bradlee.” Beecher said Bradlee needs a permit from National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for stormwater discharge from construction sites and he hasn’t shown the PCCD any permits. She also told the Courier all written correspondence including inspection reports were sent by registered mail to Bradlee. The NPDES permit program authorized by the Federal Clean Water Act controls water pollution by regulating point sources that discharge pollutants into waters of the United States. “I know nothing about any charges being filed against me by the Pike County Conservation District,” said Bradlee. The developer has a permit to conduct a firewood business and is harvesting trees for this purpose. Local area residents are concerned about the amount of timber being cut down and the proposed sewage discharge into the creek. The project is going forward and Bradlee has filed a sewage planning module with Dingman Township, has done soil testing, and has drilled for test wells, according to PCCD. Bradlee said Dingman Township officials are very positive about his project because they are looking for commercial development in the township. They are in favor of providing affordable housing for young families and senior citizens. “The public has no idea of what we are intending to do and how positive it will be for the community. I will present my plan and educate the public when the time comes. This is a worthy project and has the highest standards regarding environmental concerns,” stated Bradlee. The commercial area of the project is expected to be 300,000 square feet. It would contain stores, offices and outpatient medical facilities. A substantial medical community, senior care facility and active adult housing will be part of this area. Bradlee says he is not worried about opposition to the project. He claims most people don’t take the time to learn about what is planned; he isn’t interested in praise and he’s not affected by criticism either. “Sean Strub, (co-owner of the Hotel Fauchere and other Milford properties) is a fellow developer and a leader in the opposition to my project; yet he has no problem discharging secondary treated sewage water from his Milford Landing project into the Delaware River. That treated sewage water is discolored, has significant odor and is crudely treated compared to what I intend to do if I decided to build my sewage plant — and yet he’s leading the bandwagon,” claimed Bradlee. Strub scoffed at Bradlee’s charge. “In terms of Milford Landing we have been hooked up to the Municipal Authority of the Township of Westfall’s sewage treatment facility right from the beginning. We have never discharged any kind of sewage into the Delaware River. For Bradlee to imply that I am responsible for how Westfall township manages its sewage system is silly, if not slanderous.” Bradlee wants to put 300,000 gallons a day of treated sewage effluent into the tiny Dwarfskill Creek, which during part of the year only has a natural flow of 30,000 gallons a day. That is the issue, “ Strub said. But Bradlee says his system will be a great improvement over existing systems. “There are 20 sewage discharge facilities in Pike County now and all of them are secondary treatment systems. My system would set a new standard for sewage treatment. Where would the world be without technology to improve the quality of life through time tested and proven ways to deal with ecological matters,” said Bradlee. Bradlee says he is going forward with his plans and PCCD is going forward with plans to have the DEP sanction him. Those questioning the project include the Coalition to Save the Dwarfskill, which is sponsoring breakfast with public speakers and information displays on May 31 at Camp Netimus.