Amador County - A resolution in protest of an unpopular bill proposing stiff statewide regulations on septic usage was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors during Tuesday’s meeting. “In Amador County, in many respects, these regulations are overkill,” said Mike Israel, Deputy Director of the Public Health Department. Prompted by Bill 885 passed in 2000, the proposed updates would further regulate discharge of wastes that threaten surface and groundwater quality. The California Water Resources Control Board has been holding workshops with record-setting attendance across California to gather input. The proposal under consideration includes a number of costly requirements to be paid by owners should their tanks not meet updated standards. Israel said the regulations made sense when applied to the southern coastal communities where they originated, but have now been proposed as a blanket solution across the state. He said the “regulations exceed the statutory authority of Bill 885.” Under the new guidelines, owners must have their tanks inspected for solid accumulations every five years at a cost of $325. Owners of tanks within 600 feet of a surface water body that does not meet water quality standards could be required to retrofit their systems at a cost of $45,000. Estimates by county officials indicate that a large portion –approximately half- of Amador County uses septic systems. Supervisor Forster said it was unlikely that any outcry against the bill would kill it. Israel said there have been discussions with the Water Resources Board for the tentative removal of some regulations. Forster called Arnold Schwarzenegger a “Green Governor” and said, “I think the Governor is trying to get his picture on the front of Newsweek.” The Supervisors formally and unanimously approved their position against the regulations. County Counsel will now draft a comment letter on the draft regulations promulgated pursuant to Assembly Bill 885. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
Wednesday, 11 February 2009 00:58
Board of Supes Takes A Stance On Proposed Septic Regulations
Amador County - A resolution in protest of an unpopular bill proposing stiff statewide regulations on septic usage was unanimously approved by the Board of Supervisors during Tuesday’s meeting. “In Amador County, in many respects, these regulations are overkill,” said Mike Israel, Deputy Director of the Public Health Department. Prompted by Bill 885 passed in 2000, the proposed updates would further regulate discharge of wastes that threaten surface and groundwater quality. The California Water Resources Control Board has been holding workshops with record-setting attendance across California to gather input. The proposal under consideration includes a number of costly requirements to be paid by owners should their tanks not meet updated standards. Israel said the regulations made sense when applied to the southern coastal communities where they originated, but have now been proposed as a blanket solution across the state. He said the “regulations exceed the statutory authority of Bill 885.” Under the new guidelines, owners must have their tanks inspected for solid accumulations every five years at a cost of $325. Owners of tanks within 600 feet of a surface water body that does not meet water quality standards could be required to retrofit their systems at a cost of $45,000. Estimates by county officials indicate that a large portion –approximately half- of Amador County uses septic systems. Supervisor Forster said it was unlikely that any outcry against the bill would kill it. Israel said there have been discussions with the Water Resources Board for the tentative removal of some regulations. Forster called Arnold Schwarzenegger a “Green Governor” and said, “I think the Governor is trying to get his picture on the front of Newsweek.” The Supervisors formally and unanimously approved their position against the regulations. County Counsel will now draft a comment letter on the draft regulations promulgated pursuant to Assembly Bill 885. Story by Alex Lane (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).
