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Synopsis of 1st Place Gulf Guardian Awards
(To learn more, please request a copy of the full submission - these short summaries do not provide a complete picture of the project)FIRST PLACE PARTNERSHIP
| Project #: | NUT 2000-03 |
| Company: | Hancock
County Board of Supervisors, Bay St. Louis MS
Hancock County Chamber of Commerce, and Water and Sewer District |
| Project Name: | Hancock County Strategic Wastewater Management Plan |
| Category: | Partnership |
| Project Type: | Nutrient Enrichment (could also be Public Health) |
In September 1997, the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce- Environmental Committee and the Hancock County Board of Supervisors brought together people in the community to develop a strategic plan for the management of wastewater in Hancock County. Chief among the participants were staff and Board members representing the Hancock County Wastewater District No. 1 (since renamed Hancock County Water and Sewer District). The community initiated this effort to find solutions to the impairment of local water bodies from malfunctioning septic tanks and improve public health from the threat of contamination of drinking water in private wells.
Due to the size of the lots, the location of the lots adjacent to canals and waterways and the types of soils, development in this area had reached a "de facto" moratorium. Many of these lots could not be permitted for a septic tank.
In three short years, through
community planning and consensus building, support from the
public, business and political sectors has generated more
than $15 million in grants and loans for wastewater collection
lines in Southern Hancock County. It is likely that by the
end of FY 2001, wastewater collection and treatment will be
available to all homes and businesses in Southern Hancock
County.
| Photo 1: Hancock County Mississippians were especially proud of their first place Gulf Guardian Award win in the Partnership Category. Here, pictured left to right are: Bryon Griffith, Gulf of Mexico Program Office; Ron Magee, NASA Environmental Office; Al Smith, Wastewater District; Terry Wyly, formerly executive director of the Hancock County Chamber of Commerce; Lisa Cowand, Vice President of the Hancock County Board of Supervisors; Jeep Ladner; unidentified; unidentified; Tim Kellor, Chancery Clerk; Herman Johnson; Steve Seymour, Supervisor. |  |
| Photo 2: A busy Highway 90 in Bay St. Louis, Miss., is a welcome sign of economic growth and commerce. But this same growth was causing stress on wastewater disposal. County officials recognized in 1997 that a plan for growth was needed. Hence was born the Strategic Wastewater Development Plan. |  |
| Photo 3: Old Bay St. Louis is a picturesque community incorporating both life on the Coast and the qualities you might expect in a small Mississippi town. |  |
| Photo 4: Businesses in old town range from banks and seafood restaurants to antique and art stores. Dock of the Bay is owned by Jerry Fisher, former lead singer for Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and on the second Saturday of the month you’ll find a street festival of art, music, food and more. |  |
| Photo 5: Businesses in old town range from banks and seafood restaurants to antique and art stores. Dock of the Bay is owned by Jerry Fisher, former lead singer for Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and on the second Saturday of the month you’ll find a street festival of art, music, food and more. |  |
| Photo 6: Businesses in old town range from banks and seafood restaurants to antique and art stores. Dock of the Bay is owned by Jerry Fisher, former lead singer for Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and on the second Saturday of the month you’ll find a street festival of art, music, food and more. |  |
| Photo 7: Businesses in old town range from banks and seafood restaurants to antique and art stores. Dock of the Bay is owned by Jerry Fisher, former lead singer for Blood, Sweat, and Tears, and on the second Saturday of the month you’ll find a street festival of art, music, food and more. |  |
| Photo 8: The Strategic Wastewater Management Plan and the ensuing grants resulting from the plan enabled the county to begin to install the infrastructure for municipal wastewater disposal. Prior to this plan, many of the local homes were on private septic systems which are generally unsuitable for coastal areas with high water tables. By 2001, Hancock County expects to have more than 5,000 homes sewered. |  |
| Photo 9: The Strategic Wastewater Management Plan and the ensuing grants resulting from the plan enabled the county to begin to install the infrastructure for municipal wastewater disposal. Prior to this plan, many of the local homes were on private septic systems which are generally unsuitable for coastal areas with high water tables. By 2001, Hancock County expects to have more than 5,000 homes sewered. |  |
| Photo 10: Hancock County was experiencing growth as a result of Stennis Space Center, the Port Bienville Industrial Plant, and the introduction of gaming in the area via Casino Magic. One of the problems was that people working in Hancock County were having to buy or rent homes outside of Hancock County because of the absence of a waste water disposal infrastructure and a resulting moratorium on new building permits. |  |
| Photo 11: Hancock County was experiencing growth as a result of Stennis Space Center, the Port Bienville Industrial Plant, and the introduction of gaming in the area via Casino Magic. One of the problems was that people working in Hancock County were having to buy or rent homes outside of Hancock County because of the absence of a waste water disposal infrastructure and a resulting moratorium on new building permits. |  |
| Photo 12: Hancock County was experiencing growth as a result of Stennis Space Center, the Port Bienville Industrial Plant, and the introduction of gaming in the area via Casino Magic. One of the problems was that people working in Hancock County were having to buy or rent homes outside of Hancock County because of the absence of a waste water disposal infrastructure and a resulting moratorium on new building permits. |  |
| Photo 13: Hancock County Port and Harbor Commissioner, Hal Walters, shows some of the growth at Port Bienville, which includes G.E. Plastics and Wellman. |  |
| Photo 14: Hancock County Port and Harbor Commissioner, Hal Walters, shows some of the growth at Port Bienville, which includes G.E. Plastics and Wellman. |  |
| Photo 15: Hancock County Port and Harbor Commissioner, Hal Walters, shows some of the growth at Port Bienville, which includes G.E. Plastics and Wellman. |  |
Last
Updated: 19 June 2000
