During the years of 2002 and 2003, the City of Atlanta completed nine of ten sewer improvement projects as required by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As part of the response required by EPA on the city’s failure to meet the deadline on the Indian Creek phase of the project, Mayor Franklin initiated a reassessment process of the sewer program to assure that the city is capable of meeting future deadlines.
The Mayor said, “Our reassessment included a rate study and a review of our monitoring and purchasing processes. While the EPA letter does criticize the city’s failure to meet the required deadline, the response from EPA acknowledges their belief that this administration is acting in good faith and is committed to turning this situation around by fulfilling the mandates of the consent decrees.”
The letter stated –
· Based on a review of the City’s response, we noted the thoroughness of the report given the time constraints placed on its submittal. The City took a comprehensive look at the factors leading to the failure to meet the Indian Creek Project deadline
· In fact, it was evident in our review of the project delay that the city made a significant effort to minimize the delay and to ameliorate the effects of the delay once the problem was identified in 2002.
EPA also noted that many of those responsible for the failed deadlines, are no longer involved in the process.
Mayor Franklin further stated, “We will continue to work aggressively to meet the new deadline of December 31, 2005 for the completion of the Nancy Creek Tunnel and Pump Stations.” She added, “While any fine is difficult in these tight economic times, we clearly understand EPA’s decision to limit the fine to $100,000 represents their good faith endorsement of our effort and we appreciate their support.”
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