A pickup truck diverted a potentially harmful situation when a sludge chute at the North Koochiching Area Sewer District construction site came in contact with the vehicle instead of the Borderland Humane Society holding facility.
“The pickup was damaged, but had it not been parked there, the chute would have gone into the animal shelter considerably,” said Tim “Chopper” McBride, NKASD executive director.
The age of the treatment plant and changes in regulation by state and federal agencies prompted the need for a new sewer district facility. The animal shelter is located on NKASD property — right in the middle of the construction zone.
The potential dangers to the holding facility were addressed before construction began this month, and in January, a letter sent to Nikki Turenne, BHS president, said that the district would like to be proactive and begin discussions with BHS to consider options to minimize the possibility of dangerous conditions during construction at the plant for BHS volunteers and animals.
In March, McBride told The Journal NKASD was “in no way forcing BHS out, but we do want to come up with some kind of a solution because we see the construction as a potential hazard to animals and volunteers.”
With the construction well underway, McBride on Wednesday said the concern for the safety of animals and volunteers is extreme.
“The animal shelter is in the middle of a very dangerous situation,” he explained.
Referring to the close call with the sludge chute, McBride stressed that even with all safety precautions being taken, accidents can happen “in a flash.”
“We have some real heavy machinery operating in a very tight space,” he said. “Busy days (for BHS) are going to be a real problem for us. We can make arrangements when necessary, but we can’t change our operations everyday, we need to keep going.”
Turenne agreed that there is concern when it comes to volunteers and animals.
“It’s still new to us, but, yes, there is some concern,” she said. “It’s little things like remembering to close the windows so dust doesn’t fly in and that we won’t be able to let the dogs out to run as much as we like to during the summer months.”
But, the question of where to put and how to fund a new animal shelter remain the roadblock to a safe solution.
County Administrative Director Teresa Jaksa said meetings have been held with officials from BHS, the sewer district, International Falls, and Koochiching County to assess the situation and develop a plan for possible solutions. While no formal action has been taken by any of the local government bodies, Jaksa said the intent to reach a viable solution is there.
“We’re still in discussions because at the end of the day, it’s what are we going to build and where are we going to put it?” Jaksa said.
An area of tax-forfeited land adjacent to Menards has been on the radar for a potential site, Jaksa said, adding that the acreage of the property would be ideal for a holding facility and a dog park.
“It is centrally located and has a lot of room for the dogs to run,” she said. “Now, it is all about learning what it will cost to clear and develop the land and what (the cost) of the facility will be.”
McBride noted because construction is expected to last about two years, efforts to relocate the holding facility are being put on the “fast track.”
“We’re hoping there are people who will be donors towards this project,” he said.
To echo McBride, Jaksa added, “We really would need community support to make (a new facility) happen.”
In the mean time, McBride encourages visitors to the holding facility to use “extreme caution.”
“I ask that people park on the secondary road by the old Border Patrol building and please, no drive throughs,” he said of those who are visiting the holding facility. “We want everyone to stay safe.”
For questions, McBride can be reached at 283-9388.
