Amador County – The Ione City Council voted 5-0 to make no contest of a draft Cease & Desist Order that is scheduled to be considered by the Regional Water Quality Control Board in a hearing Friday in Rancho Cordova.

City Manager Kim Kerr said she and City Attorney Kristen Castanos worked with the Regional Board to iron out language in the Board’s Order that is satisfactory to both sides, and also allow no connection bans to the city wastewater system, if approved by the Regional Board. Kerr said she would be out of town and unable to attend the Regional Board meeting, but Castanos will be in attendance to answer questions.

Kerr attributed the work to Castanos, as she comes from a background of wastewater project work. Castanos recommended the Council “confirm that it wants no contest” of the Cease & Desist Order. She also recommended they appoint a council member to attend the Regional Board’s meeting and officially state that the Ione City Council does not contest the Order.

Councilwoman Andrea Bonham said she would attend. Castanos said the hearing was set for 9 a.m. but may not be held until 1 p.m., so Bonham would have to stay until the item was addressed. Councilman Daniel Epperson said he would also be able to attend.

Kerr said if approved, the Draft Cease & Desist Order would have a strict timeline for a series of accomplishments the city must make with its wastewater system in order to get a new permit and remove the Cease & Desist Order. That begins with developing a “Seepage Discharge Compliance Plan,” which is due Jan. 30, 2012. Kerr said “if we miss that deadline of January 2012, we will be looking at an administrative fine of millions of dollars.”

Kerr said staff recommended the city hire a consultant to answer the seepage plan, and help recommend the most feasible approach and cheapest way to produce an anti-degradation report. The plan will address the stopping of the city’s sewer storage ponds from degrading groundwater that goes into Sutter Creek, and onto non-city land.

Kerr said the Report of Waste Discharge is due in March of 2012, and the city needs to complete its wastewater plant project by October of 2013.

During public comment, Sharon Long complimented staff, who “walked into” and were able handle the “horrendous problem” that began in 2003. Kerr said “Kristen (Castanos) was the lead on this.” Kerr said: “I think this is probably the best deal that we will ever get.”

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.