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.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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)
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)
Sunday, February 15, 2009
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
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
Thursday, February 12, 2009
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.
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."
"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".
“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
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
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
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.”
“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.
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.
Monday, February 9, 2009
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.
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
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
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
Thursday, February 5, 2009
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.
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.
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
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
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
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
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.
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.
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.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
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.
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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)