Two Lake Sewer Authority - Public Q&A

The Two Lake Collaborative Sewer Authority (TLSA) was formed in July 2017 by Onekama Township, Pleasanton Township, Bear Lake Township and the Village of Bear Lake. The purpose: “to plan, design, engineer, finance, construct and operate a public sewage disposal system serving sewage districts within those municipalities.”

The “powers” of the TLSA are enumerated in Act 233 of the Public Acts of 1955 under which the Authority can adopt bylaws for its affairs and for conducting business.

The TLSA is governed by a Board composed of voting representatives appointed by each of the municipal units.

The firm Wade Trim, located in Traverse City, Michigan was selected by the TLSA to design the sewage disposal system and complete an application for funding under the appropriate rules and regulations of the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development.

Public input regarding the sewage disposal project is a crucial element of the TLSA’s process. Because of the size, scope, impacts and complexities of the project the TLSA determined that it was in the best interests of the constituent municipalities and the project as a whole to have a rigorous process for input by all interests and to provide as much access as possible for individuals to review pertinent documents and submit questions. The completion of this document was delayed longer than expected because of the large volume of questions submitted, the work involved with answer the questions and the imperative to carry out this process when both the year-round and seasonal populations were present.

The TLSA invited everyone with an interest in the project to submit questions about it. The response was significant, a reflection of the shared interest that people, businesses and others have in the future of the Bear Lake and Portage Lake area.

Once the questions were received, a team of individuals and entities prepared answers, including the Michigan Rural Water Resources Association on a voluntary basis and contract personnel with the TLSA who were involved with the public process and preparation of the system design.

Following are the questions and answers prepared for those questions. When possible, we grouped similar questions and answers. This document is available at the TLSA website at www.twolakeauthority.com. Copies may also be read during work hours at any of the municipal offices involved in the project.

We hope that this document helps educate and inform all interests about the project and responds to the large number of questions that were submitted. We express our gratitude and appreciation for those who have taken the time to participate in this process.

Source: Two Lakes Sewer Authority