Amador County – Amador County Supervisors discussed a comment letter addressing sewer system legislation, AB-885 on Tuesday, refining comments that were endorsed by the full board, to be signed by the chairman and letter draftee, Environmental Health Officer Mike Israel.

Israel said a “Tier Two” “do your own” approach is likely to be applied state-wide, in effect an unfunded mandate. He said it was too conservative and “highly constrained.”

Long-time consultant, Jim Hemminger, of the Regional Council of Rural Counties said they should tell the Water Quality Control Board: “Don’t give us local control without a few patches.” He said a program with ground water monitoring is going to be very expensive and very time consuming for local counties. He said AB-885 of 2008 was so bad it makes this draft look good, and the Water Board will be releasing another document for public comment.

Supervisor Richard Forster said environmental groups have a lawsuit waiting to be filed once the final document is released.

Supervisor Ted Novelli asked about impaired water bodies. Israel said the county has only one impaired water body, but in the new bill, the designation happens without local involvement. He said the Regional Board would be involved, but not the county, and once the designation is made it affects immediate property. Novelli said there should be local notification, so there can be mitigation.

Hemminger said the regulations are “un-artfully crafted” and “the Regional Board will see it’s a bigger issue in many other counties.” He said “the regulations should require the Regional Board to analyze whether septic systems are affecting water.” Novelli said headwaters for Misery Creek, Pioneer Creek and Sutter Creek could be a problem to homeowners.

Hemminger said at this point, the “bill has backed away from a lot of things.” It allows grandfathered systems, so “we do have the local control to fix the existing systems.” He said it is intended to give conditional discharge permits, and assess waiver fees. He said the bill “needs wording to determine how to handle existing systems.”

Plasse asked how soon Israel could offer a Tier Two plan to the state. Israel said it would take 90-120 days of staff time, relying on samples already taken, though that might not please the state, which could require more samples.

Rich Farrington asked about grandfathered systems, and who would pay for inspection, noting that the 2008 AB-885 required $400 inspections every few years. Israel said private sector inspection, as done now, will probably be used, and they could recommend in the comment letter that it be part of the bill’s policy.

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