Onsite Wastewater of Northwest Michigan Board of Directors

Board List | View Our 2007-2008 (3.9mb) Annual Report Here (PDF requires Adobe Acrobat.)

PURPOSE

To increase public awareness of the link between clean drinking water, safe recreational waters, environmentally sustainable surface and groundwater with watershed based, best management practises related to appropriate wastewater systems, technology, treatment and management.

Who, and What, is Onsite Wastewater of NW MI? ( Formerly Northwest Michigan Onsite Wastewater Task Force)
In 2002, a diverse group of agencies, individuals and wastewater industry professionals gathered to discuss their frustration with the lack of good public and local government education on rapidly advancing wastewater system technology.

Northwest Michigan Onsite Wastewater Task Force was founded in 2003 as a 501(c)3 through the generous support of the Joyce Foundation. Our charge from Joyce?
To engage in activities which create a climate of informed consent where wise choices can be proposed for appropriately sized wastewater systems which are cost effective to construct, operate and maintain while minimizing environmental footprint and sprawl.

Quite simply we are in the wastewater education business.
In the past 6 years the Board has changed, grown and evolved but always stayed true to that original purpose.
The 2009 Board retains our regional emphasis with a mix of environmental policy specialists, planning and zoning (at both the Township and County level), wastewater service providers, realtors, regulators. We all share one commitment - to protect and preserve the watershed resources of northwest Michigan through proactive, comprehensive education programs.

Chair: William Crawford. Director.
Benzie-Leelanau District Health Department
6051 Frankfort Highway, Suite 100
Benzonia, MI 49616
(231)882-4409 | FAX#: (231)882-2204

Vice Chair:
Peter Read. Century 21 Real Estate. Traverse Area Association of Realtors
591 Keystone Road, S.
Traverse City, MI 49686
(231)633-1165 | FAX#: (231)929-1322

Secretary/Treasurer:
John C. Sych, AICP Planning Director
Grand Traverse County
400 Boardman Avenue
Traverse City MI 46984
Phone: (231) 922-4677

Patrick Donovan R.S. - MDEQ
Field Specialist, Environmental Science and Services Division,
Cadillac District Office
120 W. Chapin St., Cadillac, MI 49601-2158
Phone: (231) 775-3960 Extension 6321

Scott J. Kendzierski, M.S., R.E.H.S.
Director of Environmental Health Services
Northwest Michigan Community Health Agency
220 W. Garfield
Charlevoix, Michigan 49720
Phone: (231) 547-6523

Grenetta Thomassey. Policy Director
Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
426 Bay Street, Petoskey, Michigan 49770
Phone: (231) 347-1181 ext.115
Fax: (231) 347-5928 phone ext. 115, Michigan 49720

Jack Johnson. Johnson Septic Tank Service
10061 E. 16th. Road, Manton, MI 49663
Phone:231-920-6547

Ross Ard. Supervisor Bingham Township. Leelanau County
7171 S. Center Hwy. Traverse City, MI 49684
Phone:231-922-6767
FAX:231-922-0228
Office Hours:Tuesday 9:30am - 3:30pm

Daniel R. Thorell, M.S., R.S.
Environmental Sanitarian Grand Traverse County Health Department
Environmental Health Division
2650 LaFranier Road
Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone:(231) 995-6021

Executive Director
Dendra J. Best.
MWEA Onsite Committee Chair, WEF, MEHA, NOWRA, Member Michigan League for Human Services
(231) 233-1806
secretary @michigan-onsitewastewater.org

Environmental Engineering Technical Consultant
Dr. Richard Otis P.E Ph.D., DEE.
Dr. Otis is past chair of the Small Community Committee of the Water Environment Federation and the Technical Practices Committee of the National Onsite Wastewater Recycling Association, current NOWRA Vice Chair, and a diplomat in the American Academy of Environmental Engineers.