The City of Custer plans to discharge their treated wastewater into the beautiful and historic French Creek that flows through Custer State Park in the Beautiful Black Hills.  The city has received a Wastewater Discharge Permit from the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) that will allow them to discharge into and degrade French Creek.  

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Preserve French Creek supports the City of Custer plan to make all equipment repairs and upgrades needed in their wastewater system, including the continued discharge of their wastewater to its current location, Flynn Creek, where it has been going for the past several decades.  The Flynn Creek discharge location has already been impacted. The permit will allow contamination levels in the discharge that will degrade the current water quality of French Creek.  Allowing the discharge into French Creek will impact all who currently enjoy its clear waters and beautiful scenery and will have an environmental impact to plants, fish, and wildlife.  French Creek is used by local residents and tourists for fishing, swimming, baptisms and general recreation as it flows beside a heavily used road into Custer State Park, as well as through the park in areas accessed by the millions who visit annually.

 

French Creek was chosen by the City of Custer as its new discharge location because it was perceived as the least costly alternative.  Due to a failure by the City and its consultants to adequately communicate their plans and decision to discharge their wastewater into French Creek (a new location), awareness of this plan only recently came to light by many of those that will be affected.  The City is committed to continuing with their plan to discharge City wastewater into French Creek saying they have “done what is required” to go forward regardless of negative impacts to businesses, residents and visitors.   While this is viewed as the cheapest alternative, it will have the greatest negative impact to the people who enjoy the Black Hills and Custer State Park.

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Contracts have been let and work is beginning to dig a trench through Custer State Park below Stockade Lake to install the pipeline into French Creek just east of the historic Glen Ellan School.  Your help in stopping the discharge of wastewater and chemicals into French Creek is needed now!  Help us and make your voices heard in opposition to this current plan  Join us in fighting the degradation/pollution of this beautiful creek with wastewater and chemicals.  Please use the links provided to sign a petition and email your opposition to the City’s plan.  Share the information provided with others who are likeminded in their desire to put a halt to discharging wastewater into French Creek and working on an alternative solution.    

 

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