ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL
    BOARD
    May 29,
    1984
    DEPARTMENT
    OF
    THE
    AIR
    FORCE~
    (CHANUTE
    AIR
    FORCE
    BASE)
    Petitioner,
    V.
    )
    PCB
    84—24
    ILLINOIS
    ENVIRONMENTAL
    )
    PROTECTION
    AGENCY,
    )
    Respondent.
    DISSENTING OPINION (by
    3.
    D.
    Dumelle):
    My
    reason
    for dissenting
    is that the carbon adsorption
    system
    is not reliable and Ia expensive to operate.
    It
    is func-
    tioning not to remove soluble organics but as a filter unit to
    remove suspended solids.
    The
    petition
    is replete with details
    of maintenance problems
    which have occurred in the carbon adsorption system.
    It
    is
    obviously unreliable and Its use should be discontinued.
    The IEPA raises concerns about ammonia removal now possibly
    occurring in the carbon adsorption system.
    Ammonia was not a
    subject of the variance petition,
    and the Board regulations on
    ammonia continue to be
    in effect.
    Similarly the concern over
    possible toxics from fire retardant chemicals is misplaced.
    Relief
    is not being asked for those discharges
    (if in fact they
    exist and are toxic).
    The
    major
    issue
    before
    the
    Board
    in
    this
    proceeding
    is
    that
    of
    environmental
    effects.
    The
    Air
    Force
    gave
    little
    hut
    conclusory
    statements.
    The
    IEPA
    gave
    no
    information.
    The
    Board
    has
    had
    enough experience with low glow meandering streams
    to
    make
    a
    judgment on environmental effects.
    No fish kills have been
    reported.
    The effluent
    in November and December of
    1983, when
    the tertiary system was inoperative, was
    9 and 11 mg/l BUD respec-
    tively and
    7 and
    10 mg/l suspended solids.
    This
    is practically
    at the 10 mg/i BOD standard and lower than the 12 mg/i suspended
    solids standard.
    I would have granted a six or nine month variance and stopped
    the present waste of money on the carbon adsorption system.
    In a
    further proceeding, the Air Force could he required to provide
    58-245
    2
    more environmental effects information.
    Respectfully submitted,
    (~
    ~
    (7~
    ~
    c~/),
    AJ~°~
    /
    Jacob 0. Dumelle, Chairman
    —
    C
    I,
    Dorothy M, Gunn, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution Control
    Board,
    hereb5
    certify
    that the above Dissenting Opinion was
    filed
    on
    the
    .5~”
    day of_Q~_t~’
    ,
    1984,
    Illinois Po
    Control
    Board
    58-246

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