In March of 2009 Deschutes County citizens will be voting on a local rule that was adopted by the Deschutes County Commissioners.
This local rule only applies to residents of South Deschutes County who have septic systems (which are not hooked up to some type of sewer system). The reason this rule was adopted was Deschutes County participated in a study with other agencies and determined there were nitrates in some wells that maybe could exceed DEQ limits in 50 to 100 years. The DEQ has never issued a health hazard on this matter.
This rule is unfair to South County residents; we are being penalized by this rule. Now the Deschutes County Commissioners are asking all of the County residents to vote on an issue that does not affect them, presently. But don’t get complacent; all it takes is for the Commissioners, by a stroke of the pen, to make it law for All of Deschutes County who are not on some type of municipal sewer system.
This rule is also unfair because it will not be applied to all properties in South County, like RV parks, State or Federal parks, etc. I guess their sewage goes to some other aquifer.
I am sure County Commissioners and Deschutes County Planning Dept. designed this ballot in hopes it would get passed by North County residents who don’t at this time have “a dog in the fight.”
Deschutes County is asking all of us to put in nitrate reducing systems which could cost $10,000 – $30,000, depending upon which contractor you hire. The county will also dictate what you do to fix your system. The County will not allow the homeowner to correct any problems/ improvements, regardless of your expertise. These mandated systems do not take care of any other kinds of contaminants. Will we be asked to put in another type of system when the County isn’t happy? When will all of this nonsense stop? Deschutes County does not care what the costs are and they don’t care if a lot of older folks lose their property. The County said early on not to worry, that they would help us financially; now they are broke and we will not receive a dime. This Local Rule, which is being challenged via the ballot box in March, has already reduced all property values in South County.
We have very clean and good drinking water in South County and all of the residents would not do anything intentionally to destroy our water. This Local Rule is not about what is right or wrong, it is about Deschutes County Planning Commission Power.
I have lived in Oregon all of my 70 years and moved to LaPine to enjoy my retirement. Now Deschutes County Government wants to suck every last dime that the State or Feds have not already taken.
We the citizens of South Deschutes County have had to form a Citizens Action Group (CAG) in order to fight to protect our property from the Deschutes County Planning Dept. and County Commissioners. We the citizens have had to fight Deschutes County every step of the way; they will roll over you, if they think they can get away with it.
Please vote no on the Local Rule in March of 2009. You, the citizens of North Deschutes County, may be the next victims to be mandated to shell out $10,000 to $30,000 for a septic system upgrade at some later date.
Gil Sprauer, La Pine
This article appears in Jan 29 โ Feb 4, 2009.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
OPS as in other peoples shit.
There is a high likelihood the septic systems in the La Pine area have not been pumped every two years as recommended or mandates as most can fly under the radar. We cannot blame the County as we as a community have to rely on our neighbors to pump out their systems.
Further the septic systems may not be working correctly or faulty. Now their argument is that they feel as if though GOVERNMENT is imposing on their rights, but what about our rights to drink water that is safe and clean? It is implied as responsible adults that when we buy land and build a home that we are going to preserve our environment and protect in such a way that our rights to own property to not infringe on others rights.
For tax payers in the whole county to pay for septic systems for the people in these areas is insane. I do not want to pay for their systems. They should be required to pay if their own systems are not working correctly. Why should their lack of common courtesy and doing the right thing.
fix it or leave.
Unfortunately you have apparently been misled by the County. There is no identified study data that indicates danger to the drinking water wells that service Sun River or Bend. In fact the USGS study suggests the opposite that it would be impossible for those nitrates to contaminate those deep wells. What you should be concerned about is that the Rule can be implimented County wide with out the need for public input. The protection of the solution fund has not been addressed. We want cleanwater we expect better of the Government the rule is an unpolished start but incomplete as presented. This contamination is not projected to occur until 50-140 years down the line. We have time to do this right.
Knowledge is power and your understanding is rudimentary and supericial of the Rule and it’s impact. Both financialy and contamination wise.
Southern Deschutes County should not be mandated to upgrade all septic systems to a $14k+ system which will present a huge financial burden on those who are living on low or fixed income. The study funding was sucked up by big salaries plus benefits for all those involved…millions of dollars and still did not find poor water quality…only the possibility of that in the future. And with all the destination resort coming down the pike in Central Oregon and the golf courses now in place…what about the runoff from those entities? The burden is unfair and very likely will not solve the water quality issue. The commission that studied this has become wealthy and leans toward big business, not the homeowners and working class of this county who are taxed and taxed and can barely afford to enjoy life here. Please vote NO and help us find a better solution which we are all in favor of.
see http://www.centraloregonbuzz.com/blog/local-rule-the-nitrate-study-by-leon-shields
Before anyone should support this issue, you should see the above website and what I am adding in. Also – what right have the “majority” of people to pass a vote that does NOT affect them financially, but imposes a burden on others? This is NOT democratic. A public vote should only be for a bill that affects EVERYONE directly. North county does not use the same waste-water treatment plant, and won’t be using the same system. This bill will NOT benefit them.
Here is the issue: Nitrates.
As a renewable energy feasibility analyst, it is my job to review clean energy technologies. This includes analyzing the harmful effects of toxic substances in our atmosphere. I have performed multiple hydroelectric power plant studies for various locations in Central Oregon, am responsible for performing the largest anaerobic digestion and biomass studies for private organizations that this State (and most of America) has ever seen and have outstanding grant proposals with the State of Oregon for additional solar, wind and other clean energy technologies. I have contacts with environmental engineers who work around the entire country because of their superior reputations. Knowing this, I can assure you, that: First, nitrates from the south county residents septic tanks are of no concern; and Second, that there are better ways of dealing with these issues that are financially reasonable for the residents of Central Oregon.
I have communicated with various individuals who currently handle septic tank, bio-digestion, and they too agree, that even they have better ways of managing these issues if the County/State would simply permit them. The truth is, Deschutes County is not interested in preventing รข Nitrateรข ย contamination in the drinking water. They are interested solely in another measure designed to promote: profit. No, the septic systems are not affecting the groundwater. What the actual source of the major nitrate contamination in our drinking water: a lack of mitigation in proper landfill maintenance, sewage maintenance, animal mortalities and proper environmental controls on existing municipal activities. I have conversed with the folks who work in these areas and know all too well what the reality is. Nitrates are bad, there is no doubt about it. But, the County could be spending the money to support clean energy projects that would truly lead to a reduction in nitrates in our water, not force the citizens to spend their own money to รข pretendรข ย to fix the issue.
Of course, it is also of concern that the County is choosing to do this project now, right when there is a financial crisis upon the people of this country. They are not seeking anything from a รข ~bailoutรข โข (thank goodness), rather, they intend to do to the South County residents what they have done to the rest of its citizens: place the financial burden upon them. I have yet to understand the justification of how the existing residents of the area all financially pay for one area to receive sewers in addition to heavily charging the residents of that specific region, and then have new residents move in who paid for nothing. If the County wants to install sewers (so they can get their monthly stipend), then they can pay for it out of reserve funds or some other funds or grants. Why, when people can barely afford to stay in their homes, would the County take a course of action that would cause homeowners to no longer be able to afford their mortgage payments and cause renters to no longer be able to afford rent?
I don’t know if the financial facts that I just mentioned have been brought up yet, but if not, be prepared – that expense will be translated down to the residents one way, or another. Finally, you should know – that before the water reaches you- before it goes to a water fountain, your tap or EVEN THE TOILET – the water is filtered for these elements. If you’re not sure how it works – check it out!!