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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday,
September 21, 2005
| Contact: |
Art Starry, Environmental Health Division Director,
360-786-5456 |
|
Linda Hofstad, Environmental Health Specialist,
360-754-4111. |
Public
Invited to Comment on a Proposed Septic System Program
for
Henderson
Watershed Protection Area
OLYMPIA
– The
Thurston County Board of Health will hear public comment about a proposed
septic system Operations and Maintenance program at a special meeting the
evening of September 27th. The
program, which would affect a portion the Henderson Inlet watershed, is part
of a larger effort to recover water quality in the inlet for protection of the
public health and welfare. An
addition goal is the reopening of some shellfish harvesting areas that have
been closed due to pollution.
Thurston County Environmental Health Division Director
Art Starry says the proposal is aimed at eliminating one source of pollution
in the inlet. “Studies have
shown that some of the pollution comes from what we call nonpoint sources;
that is unknown points of origin. But
the work has also demonstrated that a significant source is human waste from
failing septic systems. As part of
rectifying that known pollution problem, the citizens advisory committee
working on this issue is recommending an operations and maintenance program (O
and M) for septic systems in this part of the
Henderson
watershed.” The purpose of the
program is to ensure that systems are being properly maintained to prevent
premature failures, and to regularly evaluate those systems at highest risk of
contaminating surface water so that problems can be promptly identified and
corrected.
The proposed O and M program would require all septic
systems within the program area to have renewable operational certificates;
these certificates would need to be kept current; and renewal of certificates
would include routine system evaluations.
The program would divide septic systems into “low” and “high”
risk categories, depending on various factors such as soil type and proximity
to surface water.
Both
low-risk and high-risk systems within the watershed would be required to have
current operational certificates, but the frequency and type of inspections
would differ.
More than 400 citizens
attended the two open houses held November 18th 2004 and July 7th
2005 to learn about the program, ask questions, and suggest changes. The
Advisory Committee, which drafted the proposal, responded to public comment by
revising the initial proposal. The
program area now excludes the Henderson Watershed area south of the
Long
Lake
outlet.
Those who cannot attend the
special meeting can send written comment to the Thurston County Board of
Health. To find out more about the septic plan, visit the Thurston County Web
Site at http://www.co.thurston.wa.us/shellfish/
where an e-mail message can be sent if desired.
They can also call 360-754-411 for additional information.
A
Thurston County Board of Health Special Meeting to hear public comment on the
proposed Septic System Operation & Maintenance Program for Henderson
Watershed Protection Area will be held from 6:30 to 9:00 the evening of
Tuesday, September 27th. It
will take place in the
Expo
Center
at the
Thurston
County
Fairgrounds,
3054 Carpenter Road SE
, Lacey.
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