EPA, DOJ and MDEQ to hold public meetings to receive comments on Stipulated Order to expedite Jackson sewer system repairs

EPA, DOJ and MDEQ to hold public meetings to receive comments on Stipulated Order to expedite Jackson sewer system repairs

August 17, 2023

JACKSON, Miss. (August 17, 2023) - On August 21 - 22, 2023, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Mississippi Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) will host three public meetings to receive comments on a stipulated order to expedite needed sewer system repairs in the City of Jackson. The terms of the agreement include appointing Ted Henifin as an interim third-party manager to manage, operate and maintain the City of Jackson's sewer system. Priority actions required under the order are intended to address spills of raw and undertreated sewage into homes, businesses, streets, yards and waterways.

The order is an interim measure until the parties negotiate modifications to a judicially enforceable consent decree to achieve the sewer system's long-term compliance with federal and state regulations. The order is subject to a public comment period that runs through August 31, 2023. The public meetings being held in Jackson next week are intended to provide a forum to accept comments on the order. Stakeholders may also comment in writing (see instruction below). Upon conclusion of the comment period, the parties will determine whether or not to proceed with the current version of the order based upon public input.

Public meetings to receive comments are planned as follows and participants are encouraged to register in advance at www.epa.gov/ms/jackson-ms-sewer-system. The meetings are being held on different days and times to accommodate as many interested stakeholders as possible, however, the content of all three meetings will be the same.

Public Meeting #1

August 21, 2023 6 - 8 p.m. CT
Mississippi e-Center, 1230 Raymond Road, Jackson, MS 39204

Public Meeting #2

August 22, 2023 10 a.m. - noon CT
Bennie G. Thompson Academic Center, Tougaloo Boulevard Jackson, MS 39174

Public Meeting #3

August 22, 2023 6 - 8 p.m. CT
Bennie G. Thompson Academic Center, Tougaloo Boulevard Jackson, MS 39174

How to Submit Public Comments

A copy of the order and instructions for submitting public comments can be found at www.justice.gov/enrd/consent-decrees. All comments must be electronically submitted or postmarked by August 31, 2023.

Please submit comments via email to [email protected] or by mail to Assistant Attorney General, U.S. DOJ - ERND, P.O. Box 7611, Washington, DC 20044-7611. Comments must be received on or before August 31, 2023. Comments should refer to DJ# 90-5-1-1-09841 and Docket Number is 36.

More information: www.epa.gov/ms/jackson-ms-sewer-system

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