Project management and implementation will be overseen by Oneida County Department of Water Quality and Water Pollution Control, led by Commissioner Steve Devan and his staff, who are responsible for coordinating all technical aspects of the project.  This includes serving as liaison between the project engineering consulting group and expert technical advisors who currently have some responsibility for management, operations and maintenance of the district’s inter-municipal sewer system.

The project implementation team will provide regular progress and activity reports to the project’s newly-formed Steering Committee, which was created to demonstrate the County’s commitment to provide accountability and ensure two-way communication by including representatives of the community, business, local government and other stakeholders.

The steering committee will be an integral part of the remediation process and its role and responsibilities will be critical to the sewer district’s successful compliance with the Consent Order mandates. The concept of including a steering committee as part of the process was designed to provide accountability.  The steering committee will be comprised of the Oneida County Sewer District’s Advisory Board, which includes the chief elected officials from each of the 12 member municipalities that form the district, or their designee, as stipulated in the county charter.  The committee will also include one community representative from each municipality, designated by that municipality’s chief elected official, as well as two rotating at-large seats appointed by the County Executive .  The criteria used to select committee members included a sufficient knowledge, interest and expertise to contribute to the project oversight process. 

The Steering Committee’s responsibilities include strategic oversight, maintaining project focus and direction, and ensuring that the project meets defined goals, requirements and deliverables in a timely and cost-effective manner.

One especially critical role of steering committee members includes serving as community liaisons who will share current project information with residents and businesses throughout the project area.

The Commissioner and his team will receive additional support from a project consulting team that includes engineering consultants, technical, legal and financial advisors, and public information specialists.