Amador County – Ione was denied an extension on its wastewater Cease & Desist Order timeline last week, but avoided a sewer connection ban and fines.

Vice Mayor Daniel Epperson, who attended the March 30 enforcement hearing of the Regional Water Quality Control Board, said when the 11 years of being out of compliance was mentioned, a laugh came up from the Regional Board, but it was serious.

City Attorney James Maynard said one Regional Board member who was on the board when Ione faced prosecution this same issue in 2001 immediately mentioned a connection ban and fines. Maynard said he and City Engineer Mary Grace Pawson spoke with the enforcement Supervisor Wendy Wyels about an Administrative Civil Liability ruling, which could total $10 million to $14 million dollars “just for the last year.” Maynard said if Ione paid those fines, they could not be eligible to apply the funds toward its final project and “that’s money we’ve lost.” The Board decided against fines, but did not change the Cease & Desist Order timeline.

Castle Oaks Partners LLC partner Rob Aragon asked if there would be a connection ban. Councilman David Plank, who attended the hearing, said it was brought up by the Board member who was on the board in 2001. Plank said it was discussed that “a connection ban would be our death knell for the city.” Epperson said it was “seen as impeding our further ability to meet the orders.”

Castle Oaks Golf Pro Dominic Atlan said he attended the Regional Board hearing and was bothered by the attitude of the Board, which seemingly washed their hands and “put all the blame on the city.” Atlan said whoever built the ponds for the city in 2001, and made the decision, should be held accountable. He said the Regional Board, when it found out in 2001 that the ponds were not built with a state permit, they should have said: “You have 90 days to close the ponds.” Atlan said the timeline has been extended for other cities, why not Ione?

Atlan said “one of their great solutions was the connection ban,” but the “city should make sure the Board knows we’re not approving new building.” Atlan encouraged going ahead with the RFP for the sewer plant while also pursuing land disposal. He said he was “not happy with this plan, and if it does not work, they are not going to cut us any slack.”

Mayor Ron Smylie supported parallel plans, and suggested a non-permeable liner for the ponds, such as the rubber one he has in his own backyard, or “a cement pond like Jethro used to swim in. If we could do that, we could eliminate the problem completely.

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