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FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 25, 2007
Contact:
Chris
Maun, education specialist, 357-2491 ext. 6377
Stormwater Services
Topic of June 5 Workshop
OLYMPIA
–A public workshop
about a proposal to extend
Thurston
County
stormwater services countywide will take place Tuesday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. at
the
Tenino
High School
commons, 500 W. Second Street.
The
proposal would extend the services of the
county
Storm
and Surface Water Utility from the northern part of the county to the entire
county. Under the proposal, the average south
Thurston
County
household would pay a stormwater fee of approximately $2.50 a month, or $30
annually.
The
proposal was prompted by new federal and state regulations and the county’s
commitment to protecting water resources, according to Chris Maun, education
specialist in the county’s Water and Waste Management Department.
“The
goal is to ensure that as
Thurston
County
grows, we have clean water for the future. We need to have safe, clean
drinking water in our aquifers, and also clean water for fishing, swimming and
boating."
The stormwater program already is in place for about 29,000 households in
the northern section of the county. If the boundaries for the program are
extended, 25,000 additional properties in the southern area will be charged
the fees.
Among other things, the Storm and Surface Water Utility:
·
Monitors and collects data to track water quality.
·
Writes basin plans with other jurisdictions to address water
problems like flooding, erosion and loss of wildlife habitat.
·
Ensures that the county complies with Department of Ecology
regulations, which stem from the federal Clean Water Act. These include
federal “National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System” and
“Underground Injection Control” rules, both aimed at reducing pollution
and protecting water quality in groundwater aquifers, rivers and streams.
·
Builds construction projects to reduce pollution, flooding and
erosion.
·
Organizes Stream Team and other volunteer efforts to protect
local creeks and streams.
·
Educates residents about the importance of watersheds and
reducing pollution caused by pet waste, motor oil, hazardous liquids and other
sources.
·
Provides advice and on-site consultations for ratepayers who
have drainage problems.
·
Teaches neighborhoods how to care for their stormwater ponds and
other facilities that convey stormwater runoff.
If
the proposal is approved, Thurston County Stream Team activities and education
presentations would be available for the first time in Tenino, Rainier and the
Rochester
area.
The proposed fee is comparable, or less than surrounding, jurisdictions.
Olympia
households are charged $9.50 per month; Lacey, $6.75; Tumwater, $5.70; and
Yelm, $2.50.
Thurston
County
commissioners will hold a public hearing about the plan in July.
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