AB 885 regs may not be out until November or longer

"We are not expecting to see the review of that until November," Dave Clegern, Water Board spokesman said. But even the chance of review in November is not a sure thing, he added.

Ukiah Daily Journal
Septic tank regs may be reviewed

AB 580 Passes to the Senate

Blog Amador
Huber Septic Bill Passes Assembly

KNCO
A Bill Giving Local Control of Septic Systems to Counties has Passed the State Assembly

Here is a link with AB 580 information

Personally this bill looks a bit weak to me. I would have wished for something with more specific direction to the board. If the board comes up with an acceptable DEIR AB 580 will not be needed.

AB 580 (Huber) Onsite sewage treatment systems

Looks like we should keep a close eye on the waterboard and AB580

Redding Record Searchlight: Septic tank legislation sparks partisan squabble

If the water officials don't come back later this summer with relaxed restrictions and allow local officials to dictate septic clean-up efforts, the committee will move ahead with Huber's bill, Chesbro said.

"If somebody has a working septic tank ... with no pollution, then there shouldn't be any new burden on them," Chesbro said.

Looks like AB 580 is the next backup plan

The new bill, AB 580, would allow local jurisdictions to adopt their own standards as necessary. That makes more sense when some areas deal with septic tank contamination and others don’t, Logue said.

Nevada County Union: Assemblyman Logue revives septic bill

Once again thanks to

Ted Gaines, Jim Neilsen, Dan Logue and Alyson Huber.

Redding Record Searchlight: Beverly Hills doesn't rely on septic tanks

Press release from Wesley Chesbro

Chesbro: Water Board starting over with clean slate on septic rules

Press release from Alyson Huber

Here is a link to a press release from the author of AB 580 Alyson Huber.

Alyson Huber: Huber Legislation Addressing Proposed Septic Tank Regulations Passes First Committee

Press Release from Jim Neilson

An anonymous commenter left this link for us to view. It is interesting reading. According to folks on the committee the septic issue brought a huge amount of feedback.

Jim Nielsen:Nielsen Sees Septic Tank Rebellion Brewing

Auburn Journal's take on yesterday's hearing

Auburn Journal
Assemblyman’s septic bill slips down the drain

Update from the hearing

I listened to a podcast of the committee hearing and here is the quick rundown.

The committee went for AB 580 (Huber).
AB 916 (Logue) there were some amendments so Logue is now
supporting AB 580.
AB 268 (Gaines) will not get out of committee.
AB 1371(Smyth) will be held in committee.

My thanks to Ted Gaines for listening to his constituents moving quickly and putting so much work into this effort. This was a great example of the grass roots making the system work for better government. Now lets see how the details roll out on AB 580.

Updates

Here is a bit more on the bills being reviewed tomorrow.

TSPN TV Assembly Bill 885: Septic Regulations

Lake County News: Chesbro requests progress report on revised AB 885 septic rules

You will have to look for the bills in this list for a very brief run down them. The ones that alter the Porter-Cologne Water Quality Control Act are:

CA AB 268 Gaines (R)
CA AB 580 Huber (D)
CA AB 916 Logue (R)
CA AB 1371 Smyth (R)

CALIFORNIA ASSOCIATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADMINISTRATORS:
Legislative Report: March 6, 2009

The Hearing is tomorrow

COMMITTEE HEARINGS:

(Here is the meeting information. It looks like a third modification bill was introduced that I didn't catch. I will post more information on AB 580 in a bit.)

http://www.assembly.ca.gov/committee_hearings/stand_comm_hearing.asp

ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY AND TOXIC MATERIALS
CHESBRO, Chair

1:30 p.m. -Room 444


SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS

Measure: Author: Summary:

A.B. No. 268 Gaines. Onsite sewage treatment systems.

A.B. No. 580 Huber. Onsite sewage treatment systems.

A.B. No. 916 Logue. Onsite sewage treatment systems: recommended
standards.


BILLS WILL BE HEARD WITH SIGN-IN ORDER


Measure: Author: Summary:

Keep the pressure on. We can do this!

Auburn Journal: Assemblyman Ted Gaines' septic bill faces test on April 14

Gaines said his call for people to write and phone committee members has been effective, particularly from areas with rural constituents.

Ted Gaines needs your help

Auburn Journal: Gaines rallies septic system inspection opposition

Gaines said that it’s important that members of the committee headed by Assemblyman Wesley Chesbro, D-Eureka, hear from Bill 268 supporters first-hand “how costly the current regulations will be.”

Just Chill until April

The SWRCB will not have a new draft for review until April. Details at the link below.

State Water Resources Control Board
FACT SHEET ON PROPOSED SEPTIC SYSTEM REGULATIONS

Strong opinion on AB 885

Santa Maria Times: Rules hit homeowners and farmers

The people of California must protect their property and civil rights by paying attention to abuses by their regulatory boards, since AB 885 revisions are just the icing on a fee-generating cake. To those who wonder how the state got into its current mess, here’s just one culprit, and we continue to regulate our way deeper into the hole.

Placer County will send a letter endorsing AB 268

Bloggers note: Thank You Ted Gaines

Auburn Journal: Supervisors support rollback of septic-system inspections

The Gaines bill would remove the financial burdens coming from inspections and the possibility of expensive upgrades, Pahl told supervisors. At the same time, AB 268 would ensure public health through existing local and state water-quality protections, she said.

New Legislation from Dan Logue AB 916

KNCO: Assemblyman Logue Introduces Fix for Septic Regulations


North State Assemblyman Dan Logue announced that he is carrying legislation, A-B 916, to require the State Water Resources Control Board to go back to the drawing board on septic regulations developed in response to AB 885.

Regional Council of Rurual Counties letter opposing the proposed regulations

Regional Council of Rural Counties : OWTS Proposed Regulations/Final Cover letter for RCRC Comments

The Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) is an organization representing the collective interests of 30 rural counties throughout California. Because implementation of the AB 885 regulations as currently proposed would have long-lasting and profound adverse impacts on our member counties, RCRC appreciates this opportunity to express our serious concerns about the proposed AB 885 regulations. Over the past eight years, RCRC has been an active participant in the AB 885 rule-making process and we are disappointed to find that the current regulatory proposal fails to meaningfully address many of the key concerns and suggestions that have been previously brought forward.

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC) is on board opposing the DEIR

CSAC: Letter of Comment on the Proposed Rule-Making Package for AB 885
Regulation of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems (OWTS)

The California State Association of Counties (CSAC), an organization that is governed by elected officials from all 58 counties, continues to remain extremely concerned with the proposed AB 885 Regulation. We also share the disappointment expressed by the Regional Council of Rural Counties (RCRC) that the proposed regulations fail to meaningfully address the concerns and comments previously raised by our member counties. Given the adverse impacts that these regulations will have on counties and their residents, CSAC urges you and members of the board to work with our organizations in developing an alternative approach that appropriately recognizes the unique conditions, climates and needs of California’s counties and moves away from the proposed one-size-fits-all approach.

Add Lake County to the opposition list

At the bottom of this article on a BOS action about water conservation is a tidbit about AB 885

Lake County News: Supervisors approve water conservation resolution

The board also unanimously supported a resolution Comstock brought forward that opposed the state's proposed regulations on septic tank systems, based on AB 885.

A bill to scrap a set of burdensome regulations is one place to save the state money.

Redding Record Searchlight: Simple fix to septic dust-up: Repeal the law

Faced with an uproar from rural residents over a proposal for strict new statewide septic system regulations, Assemblyman Jim Nielsen has a simple solution: Wad up the law and flush it down the toilet.

Kings County drafted a resolution to oppse the current septic regulations

Kings County Board of Supervisors: Action Summary January 27, 2009

ACTION: APPROVED AS PRESENTED (O/V-U)
2. Consider adopting a Resolution opposing the draft regulations implementing AB 885, which
proposes a statewide waiver and other requirements for onsite wastewater treatment septic
systems, as being beyond the authority of Section 13291 and as imposing onerous requirements
and exactions of County residents and property owners.[Reso #09-002]
ACTION: APPROVED AS PRESENTED (B/F-U)

El Dorado County opposes current draft of septic regulations

El Dorado County: MINUTES Board Of Supervisors


After hearing testimony, a motion was made by Supervisor Sweeney, seconded
by Supervisor Knight, as follows:

1) Authorize Chairman to sign letter for submittal to the State Water Resources
Control Board by February 23, 2009 regarding AB 885 onsite wastewater
treatment systems (OWTS) proposed regulations and Draft Environmental
Impact Report, citing issues as described in the analysis of the impacts;

2) Direct Environmental Management staff to continue to work with Regional
Council of Rural Counties (RCRC), California State Association of Counties
(CSAC), California Conference of Directors of Environmental Health (CCDEH)
and State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB) with the goal of
developing a reasonable set of minimum standards for OWTS strictly
applicable to jurisdictions where the degradation of water quality has been
scientifically proven to be caused by OWTS, while recognizing that many
jurisdictions already have adequate OWTS regulations;

3) Direct the Environmental Management staff to provide periodic updates to
the Board as this issue is addressed;

4) Authorize other actions that the Board deems appropriate, possibly
including the presence of interested members of the Board of Supervisors or
their designee to appear when the SWRCB holds the public hearing; and

5) Support legislation to repeal AB 885. (See next page for second motion.)
Yes: 5 - Knight, Sweeney, Nutting, Briggs and Santiago

Ted Gaines takes a shot at AB 885

Rocklin & Roseville Today: Bill to repeal septic tank regulations introduced

SACRAMENTO-- Assemblyman Ted Gaines, R--Roseville, introduced Assembly Bill 268 to repeal a controversial state law requiring residents with septic tanks to pay costly inspection fees.

Amador County is on board

Amador Ledger dispatch: Impending septic tank regulations prompt stern letter from county

"the Amador County Board of Supervisors strongly opposes adoption of regulations and waiver in their present form."

This is a must read. They admit that these regulations are a fishing expedition.

The Daily Triplicate: Septic tank rules fought

Almost any activist that opposes these regulations believes in clean water and would support regulations that honestly attain that goal. We just feel that these regulations are not the correct way to accomplish clean water. Below a spokesman for the waterboard tells you just what these regulations were designed to do. They are designed to find out "if there is a problem".

David Clegern, a spokesman for the state agency, said the board has already announced it is rewriting the regulations in response to the public outcry.

“We do understand that Eureka and Malibu are different places,” Clegern said. “It’s a very touchy subject and we understand that.”

One of the main reasons the Water Resources Control Board wants to change the regulations, he said, is to assist in building a database made from the continual monitoring of septic systems by property owners that will alert the board to any changes in the water environment due to pollution

“These standards and regulations are essentially designed to give us a baseline,” Clegern said, “so we can tell when there’s a problem, if there’s a problem and where there’s a problem

SWRCB gets a piece of Northwest California opinion

Santa Rosa Press Democrat: Nearly 1,700 people turn out in Santa Rosa to blast septic tank requirements

“We will take a crack at revising the regulations and send it out again,” said Tam Doduc, board chairwoman. “I can’t tell you how, but they will be revised.”

City of Auburn Opposes Proposed Regulations

Auburn Journal: City Council passes resolution against septic regs

Fellow Councilman Kirby, who holds a master’s degree in microbiology, does not consider septic tank waste to be a problem in Placer County and said water contamination from animal waste poses a larger threat.

400 turn out for the midday meeting in Santa Rosa, there is another at 05:00 pm

Santa Rosa:Press Democrat: Hundreds turn out to voice concern over septic tank requirements

A crowd of about 400 turned out this afternoon for the begining of a hearing on controversial proposals for regulating septic tanks in rural areas.

California Grange opposition

California State Grange: Testimony in opposition to AB 885 draft regulations per Ab 885

In many parts of the state the depth to groundwater is greater than 100 feet, and in other areas with shallower groundwater, there are aquitards that physically block the movement of ground water. Under these conditions, the migration pathway between the surface soils where a septic system is in place and the groundwater is incomplete and the migration of contaminants from a septic system to the groundwater is a physical impossibility.

Placer-Nevada County Medical Society Letter

Placer-Nevada County Medical Society: Comments on Proposed Amendments...

The health and well being of our patients and other residents of our communities are of the utmost concern to us. We are convinced that the draft regulations as currently distributed create an unnecessary financial burden on the residents of the community and county services with inadequate scientific basis of having any positive health impact.

Lets see what they are saying in Sonoma County

Point Reyes Light: Region unites against septic tank regs

Randy Leach, manager of the well and septic division of Sonoma County’s permit and resource management department who attended a 2005 meeting, told the Light at the time: “The basic assumption that septic systems are contaminating the environment is false

Madera County approves a letter opposing current regulations

Tom Wheeler - Supervisor, District 5: Assembly Bill 885

Madera County unanimously approved a resolution on February 3rd opposing the regulations unless significantly amended. The resolution will be posted soon.

County of San Benito is added to the list

Hollister Free Lance: County opposes state's proposed septic tank rules


The board requested that staff talk with Regional Council of Rural Counties and then write up a resolution to send to the county's two legislative representatives, the governor and the state water board.

County of Modoc letter to the water board

Modoc County Health Services: Letter to the State Water Resource Control Board


Modoc County has an OWTS failure rate of less than 1% using conventional systems. The conversion of installing non-conventional systems for new development will only lead to a higher failure rates, increased cost, increased management, increased illegal repairs, and increased risk to public health as well as the environment

Mariposa County posted a letter for its residents to use in opposition of the new regulations

So it looks like we can add Mariposa to the opposition list

County of Mariposa: Ab 885 Letter With Directions

Local regulation of On-site Wastewater Treatment Systems (O.W.T.S.) and groundwater protection are much more efficient than state-wide regulations attempting to cover widely different conditions such as areas with impaired water and areas with no documented impairment, areas with ocean water concerns and areas (such as the Sierras) with none, etc. This is an issue of Efficiency in Government

Plumas County opposes new regulations

Plumas County News: Supervisors say new septic rules stink

The letter argued the legislation, which changes rules related to septic tanks and wells, was poorly written, ill conceived, and would unfairly burden Plumas County citizens.

Add Santa Cruz County to the list

Santa Cruz Sentinel: New state septic regs mean home inspections, additional costs

John Ricker, the county's water director, notes that many of the state demands simply don't make sense, like a requirement to upgrade systems within 600 feet of a stream or river where the county has already mandated changes.

See what Butte,Calaveras,Del Norte,Napa, Nevada, Placer,Shasta, Trinity, Tuolumne counties have to say about the new regulations.

Regional Conference of Rural Counties: County Comment Letters

League of Placer County Taxpayers is aware of the problem

AJ (LTE): Join with League in battling septic system fees

The League of Placer County Taxpayers is aware of the problem and will be pursuing the issue. We will need all the help we can get from everyone; our dedicated members, new members, the general public and from donations. Unfortunately fighting issues like this has a price.

Mendocino County Opposing New Septic Regulations

MENDOCINO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:SUMMARY/ACTION MINUTES – JANUARY 13, 2009

Board members recommended the County’s comment to the State reflect the County’s strong opposition to the regulations as presented, incorporating information from the letters from Mr. Rau and the Mendocino County Farm Bureau, specifically, that “one size does not fit all,” also stating the regulations are cost prohibitive and will be ineffective for our area. It was further recommended that language be included encouraging the State to identify specific problem areas and address those areas, rather than imposing state-wide regulations, and further, insist that local hearings be scheduled.

Supervisor Brown recommended the Board Chair personally testify in Sacramento if the request for local workshops is not honored, further recommending that County Counsel look into litigation, including “takings” and “unfunded mandates

It appears the Town of Paradise wasn't the only one with concerns over the State Water Resources

Paradise Post: Septic bill is put on hold by board

It appears the Town of Paradise wasn't the only one with concerns over the State Water Resources Control Board's planned septic law. The State Water Resources Control Board, Division of Water Quality placed planned septic regulations, AB 885, on hold this week, according to North State Assemblyman Dan Logue.

The official word from Ted Gaine

Ted Gaines: Assemblyman Gaines to introduce measure to repeal costly septic tank regulations

"It's time for the Legislature to give local communities the freedom from septic tank regulations that are unnecessary and painful for families," Gaines said. "That's why I plan to introduce legislation to repeal Assembly Bill 885 and continue fighting hard this year to give local governments like Placer County the responsibility to set regulations that make sense for the constituents they serve."

Bloggers note: You may want to let your Assembly Representative know that you support Ted Gaines.

New Revised workshop and hearing schedule

State Water Resources Control Board: NEW DATES AND TIMES FOR SANTA ROSA WORKSHOP, POSTPONEMENT OF SACRAMENTO HEARING, AND EXTENSION OF COMMENT PERIOD

The Santa Rosa workshop on proposed septic systems regulations to implement Assembly Bill 885 has been rescheduled for February 9, 2009. The Sacramento hearing on the regulations (originally set for February 9) is postponed and will be rescheduled once the regulations have been redrafted. A new notice will be provided when it is rescheduled. The public comment period on the proposed regulations is extended by two weeks to February 23, 2009. The changes described below do not change the scope of the workshop and hearing as originally announced.

Tehama County adds itself to the growing list of counties opposing the new regulations

Red Bluff Daily News Tehama County Board eyes septic issues

This week, the Tehama County Board of Supervisors unanimously voted to send a letter to the California State Water Resources Control Board expressing county concerns over new septic tank rules introduced by AB 885, which would require $325 septic tank inspections every five years and a $325 inspection of nearby wells at the same time.

Ted Gaines has it right

Auburn Journal: Repeal septic system inspection legislation: Ted Gaines

Assemblyman Ted Gaines, R-Roseville, offered to take Placer County residents’ concerns to the state Capitol and propose repealing Assembly Bill 885 – the legislation whose implementation is raising hackles throughout the state among septic system users

Another big crowd in Fresno

Sierra Star: Septic proposals get crowd's attention

As expected, the Fresno Unified School District board room was jammed last Thursday as the State Water Resources Control Board conducted a workshop/hearing on proposed septic and well system regulations. The room holds 149 people and the crowd was so big, folks were sitting in the aisles and standing against the wall.

It looks like we have made an impact

I dropped by Ted Gaines town hall meeting tonight and picked up a few tidbits. The February 09 meeting in Sacramento has been canceled and the public hearing period has been extended for an indefinite period of time. Gaines and other local state officials will attempt to repeal AB885.

Colfax area residents and their supervisor stand against new septic regulations

Colfax Record : Owners oppose proposed septic regulations

“We’re on your side,” Montgomery concluded. She added other rural counties and agencies throughout the state are also organizing protests against the proposed regulations.

Assemblyman Ted Gaines steps up to the plate

Sac Bee: Assemblyman Gaines hopes to repeal septic legislation

Assemblyman Ted Gaines will announce tonight that he hopes to repeal legislation that could force regulation of septic systems in the state.

Crowds to large to handle when the state hit Sonoma County

Santa Rosa Press Democrat: State to set new septic hearing
A hearing tonight in Eureka was originally scheduled to be the last of eight workshops on the new regulations. The new rules have attracted opposition across the state from rural property owners who say they would impose unnecessary expenses on their septic systems and amount to a taking away property rights.

Placer County BOS adds itself to the list opposing proposed AB 885 regulations

Granite Bay Press Tribune:
Placer County Board of Supervisors opposes California septic system inspections, fees

Add PCWA to the very long list of organizations against California's proposed septic regulations.

Note: I was just at the Placer County Board of Supervisors meeting and every member spoke out against the new proposed regulations.

Auburn Journal: Thumbs down on state septic-system inspection plan: Placer County Water Agency

Placer County Board of Supervisors to get AB 885 presentation today

Its on the agenda for 11:00

From the gateway to Yosemite

Oakhurst Real Estate Blog:
Proposed AB 885 Septic and Well Testing Requirements Burdensome and Costly

"if enacted, these regulations will make it too burdensome to own a property with a septic system"

Brendan Coen's Real Estate Blog: AB 885 Public Meetings

President of the League of Placer County Taxpayers Wally Reemelin on the septic regulations

Auburn Journal: Another Vew: Solution searching for a problem

The California Water Resources Control Board has recently proposed drastic new restrictions (A3 385) on septic tanks and on private water wells with resulting high costs to owners and users.

I think this entire regulation is too much and too heavy handed

The Willits news: Septic rules taking form

The proposed regulations have drawn the attention of the California Farm Bureau and its regional entities. Humboldt County Farm Bureau Executive Director Katherine Ziemer said that while she wants to see clean water protected, she's concerned about the blanket approach the state water board is taking, which would cover essentially all of the bureau's agricultural members. The regular inspections and standards seem to be “overkill,” Ziemer said, and the bureau intends to closely participate in the final outcome of the regulations.

”I think this entire regulation is too much and too heavy handed,” Ziemer said.

Ted Gaines wants your input.

Assemblyman Ted Gaines will be hosting a public townhall meeting to discuss sewer and septic issues prior to the Feb. 9 public comment deadline. Details:

Townhall Meeting
Thursday, January 29, 2009, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Placer County Board of Supervisors Chambers (The Domes)
175 Fulweiler Ave., Auburn, CA.
For more information: 916-774-4430

The California Association of Realtors releases a Red Alert.

Sierra Star: Realtors oppose AB885

The California Association of Realtors (C.A.R.) released a Red Alert Jan. 7 regarding regulations for onsite wastewater treatment systems (OWTS) -- otherwise known as septic systems -- being proposed in AB885. C.A.R. is concerned that, if enacted, these regulations will make it too costly and burdensome to own a property with a septic system. In Madera County, we have almost 20,000 housing units on septic.

Placer County Environmental Health Director Jill Pahl

From the Loomis News
Pahl calls the law “fatally flawed,” because the “regulations have way overstepped the original good intentions.” Pahl said Assembly Bill 885 was passed in 2000 to protect the state’s groundwater supply.

You can read the entire article at the Loomis News site.

Trinity County Building and Development Services to the State Water Resources Control Board.

Here is the last paragraph of the letter.

"Trinity County respectfully requests to be included in an exemption from
these regulations as setforth in AB 885 along with all other rural counties under the same situation."

You can read the letter in total here.

The time to act is now

Rural California is about to be over regulated by an over reaching government agency. AB885 was a well intentioned law that is resulting in the proposal of some very poor and expensive implementation. Even in counties where there is no evidence of contamination and records show only a 0.2% failure rate of septic systems all the septic systems would have to be inspected at the estimated rate of $325.00 per inspection and if you have a domestic well on that property add a well inspection every five years also and another $325.00 charge. Those are just the inspection fees. You can read about the details here at the California State Water Resources Control Board site. We have a very short time to act before these "Fatally Flawed" regulations are implemented. It is time for immediate action, contact the state water board.

State Water Resources Control Board
Division of Water Quality
Attn: Todd Thompson, P.E.
1001 I Street, 15th Floor, P.0. Box 2231
Sacramento, Ca. 95812

Or by email: ab885@waterboards.ca.gov

For more information:
http://www.waterboards.ca.gov/water_issues/programs/septic_tanks/