The Seeley Lake Community Council heard concerns from Missoula County about area septic systems, Seeley Lake Transfer Site improvements, and recycling program updates — welcoming many guest speakers in its monthly meeting on Nov. 13.
Jeanna Miller, the Missoula county environmental health manager, raised concern of hazardous minerals in Seeley’s ground water. Miller gave a review of the nitrate contamination in Seeley Lake, how it works with septic systems and next steps the Missoula County Health Department can take to fix the issue at hand.
Conventional septic systems, like the ones in Seeley Lake, are not designed to effectively remove nitrate, which Miller covered in her presentation. High levels of nitrate could then make its way into the community’s drinking water, which can risk health issues like decreased liver function and thyroid disease. The Seeley Lake Water District’s 2023 water quality report did not list any concern for nitrate runoff into the system. Water with nitrate levels above 5 milligrams is considered dangerous.
Miller raised more concerns about water quality in the area’s lakes and streams. The increase of nitrate in local waters can mean heavily increased plant life, which will degrade water quality and clarity over time.
Miller listed the Health Department’s goals to revise septic system requirements to protect groundwater and surface water from septic systems, and ensure those requirements are effective, understandable, and equitable. Some ideas include nitrate filtration systems replacing septic systems, or technology to reduce nitrate, which the Health Department continues to brainstorm.
Kim Myers with the Missoula County Solid Waste Management spoke on the Seeley Lake Refuse District in response to a request to pave part of the Seeley Lake transfer site.
Myers said the county owns the refuse district property. Republic Services does not lease the land, as thought by some members of the public. Republic Services is contract management and has manages day-to-day operations there since 2015.
Local residents have also been talking about site improvements, like paving the district, which was brought up in previous meetings. Shane Stack, Missoula County Public Works Director, provided estimates on paving costs, which would round between $500,000 and $550,000 for more pavement at the site.
Myers also gave a recycling update, stating that starting in 2024, recycling rates will go up significantly It’s not profitable for them to keep the same rate as they have been since 2012.
They are reaching out to find alternatives to the current recycling program, in hopes to find one that will work. Without a feasible program, they will no longer be able to maintain a free recycling program for the community, leaving it up to the community to decide if they are willing to pay to keep a recycling program in place.
Updates were brought up concerning the stop sign past Morrell on the intersection of Whitetail Drive and Black Bear Drive, which was moved from the main road to the intersection, now sitting at the end of Black Bear Court, instead of the passing road.
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