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Discovery of artifacts changes scope of Whittier sewer project

By Rose Hooper
Results of the archeological study for the Whittier Sanitary District sewer project may reduce its scope, Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority board members learned last week.

Originally planned on a 3-acre site at the Jackson Industrial Park, the project is now being "squeezed" to a quarter acre, according to Jerry King, former TWSA executive director. The archeological impact study revealed artifacts that will prevent the land from being disturbed, King said.

"They didn't find any bones, but they did find pottery and other artifacts," King told the TWSA board.

"The engineers have said the sewer treatment plant can still be built on the quarter acre, but I have my doubts," King continued. "For one thing, we will certainly have no room for expansion."

The project would treat 250,000-gallons of waste water per day and provide sewer service to the industrial park, as well as 190 customers in the Whittier area. The current capacity at the industrial park is 5,000 gallons per day.

The new plant would allow for expansion at the park and would link with sewer lines already in place in Cherokee. Additionally, it would serve the Whittier Church of God Assembly and the Eastern Band's recreation park at Gateway.

Partners with TWSA on the project are the Economic Development Commission of Jackson County, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners and the Cherokee Tribal Council. Two years ago the N.C. Rural Economic Development Center provided a $3 million grant for the project. TWSA, the county and the tribe each had to contribute $40,000.

"When the project is completed, it will be titled to TWSA, but I'm not comfortable with the tight space," King said. "It reduces the scope of the project."

When TWSA board member Bobby Beck questioned who owned the property, King said it was deeded to Jackson Development Corp.

"It concerns me that this plant would be on property owned by someone else," said Raymond Large, the authority's attorney.

As of last week's meeting, the JDC had not provided TWSA with a lease agreement, King said.

Agreeing that many "ungivens" remained on the project, board members asked King to arrange a meeting between the partners.

Back to Archive: 01/23/03.