Welcome to Skagit County
April 30th, 2012
Skagit County Commissioners
to make decision on the Proposal to Expand Marine Recovery Area in the Samish
Watershed on May 29, 2012
SKAGIT COUNTY - After several citizens voiced their opposition to the proposed
expanded MRA during a public hearing held on December 13, 2011, the Commissioners
postponed making a decision until an additional public meeting could be held
and additional research completed on the proposed boundaries.
A public meeting was held on January 24, 2012 at Alger Community Hall to answer
questions about the proposal to make the Samish Watershed an MRA. Several citizens
questioned the accuracy of the proposed boundaries. There was also concern about
the inspection frequency for septic system inspections (operations and maintenance
inspections).
An MRA designation applies only to on-site sewage (septic) systems and not to
other sources of fecal coliform bacteria. The Samish Watershed has struggled
with high levels of fecal coliform bacteria for many years. These bacteria come
from warm-blooded animals, including humans. The boundaries of the proposed
MRA have been adjusted to remove all parcels that are not likely to have an
on-site sewage system. Willard Creek drainage and the southern and eastern edge
of the current Samish Watershed boundaries have been re-established to more
accurately reflect drainages.
Skagit County Public Health contacts MRA property owners with on-site sewage
systems that do not have a current operations and maintenance inspection. The
property owner then has approximately 3 - 4 months to meet this requirement,
or they may receive $75 per day fine.
Skagit County Public Health will change this procedure, extending the deadline
before a fine is issued dependent upon the property's distance from a waterway
in the Samish Watershed MRA. The deadline cannot exceed State law requiring
an inspection every three years for a conventional gravity system and every
year for any other system. The law applies whether or not a property is in an
MRA, however, Skagit County Public Health contacts only those septic system
owners in an MRA.
Operations and maintenance inspections, are completed by individuals certified
by Skagit County Public Health. If a property owner's most recent operations
and maintenance inspection is current, they will not be contacted. An inspection
averages about $200. A septic tank pumping may or may not be required following
the inspection. Septic tank pumping can cost more. Oftentimes, a septic system
inspection will result in fixing a small problem that could cause the entire
system to fail.
Skagit County Public Health
is offering a $100 rebate on an inspection for qualified property owners. People
can also receive an additional $100 rebate for installing septic tank risers
and lids, which make future inspections easier. Attendance at a Septics 101
class is required to be eligible for the rebates.
Individuals who prefer to perform an operations and maintenance inspection on
their own septic system may become certified by attending a Septics 101 class
and a Septics 201 class. Septics 201 classes are currently filled, but Skagit
County Public Health will place your name on a waiting list. Visit www.skagitcounty.net/septic
for a current class schedule. Low-interest loans are also available to repair
failing septic systems.
The Clean Samish Initiative
(CSI) is a collaborative effort by many individuals and agencies working to
reduce the impact of fecal coliform sources in the Samish. Assuring that all
septic systems are working properly is one part of the CSI.
On May 29, 2012, at 10:30 a.m., the Commissioners will make a decision on the
updated proposal to make the entire Samish Watershed a Marine Recovery Area
(MRA). To see documents related to the proposed updated MRA, please go to www.skagitcounty.net/health.
Written comments will be accepted until Monday, May 21, 2012, at 4:30 p.m. Email
comments will not be accepted.
Please send your written comments to:
Corinne Story
Skagit County Public Health
700 South 2nd Street, Room 301
Mount Vernon, WA 98273
If you have any questions, please contact the Skagit County Public Health Department at (360) 336-9380. You may also leave a message at (360) 336-9474.