(Liberty Center, OH) A Northwest Ohio community wants permission to pollute more.
In a time of concern over how much phosphorus is being dumped into the Maumee River watershed and fueling toxic algae blooms in Lake Erie, Liberty Center village officials want a variance on how much mercury goes into the Maumee from its wastewater treatment plant.
The village is seeking a five-year operating permit from the Ohio EPA and vows to find the mercury source and eliminate it. Ther permit application is actually asking for an increase in the amount of mercury discharged.
There's an information session and public hearing set for tonight at the Liberty Center Municipal Building hosted by state environmental regulators.