03/24/2006: "Workshops Scheduled On SJI: Septic & Critical Areas"

If you're a professional (or just a private citizen) you may find it helpful to attend one or both workshops that deal with Developing a CAO (Critical Areas Ordinance), and later, a workshop on "New State On-site Sewage Rules".

Both workshops are intended to inform those who may be, or plan to be, involved in the subject matter due to their work or profession, and space is limited for the Critical Areas Ordinance, so not everyone may be able to attend who wishes. This is the second go at scheduling the workshop, as the first one was canceled.

The CAO workshop will be held SJI Fire District #3 building at 1011 Mullis Street on SJI, on the 31st of March and the presenters are:

● Tim Gates - Community, Trade and Economics
● Millard Deusen & Pam Erstad - Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
● Laura Casey - Washington Department of Ecology
● Carol MacIlroy - Shared Strategy for Puget Sound
● Vicki Heater - San Juan County Department of Public Health
● Jody Kennedy - San Juan County Marine Resource Committee

According to the invitation sent out to the professional community, "San Juan County looks forward to improving the way we manage environmentally sensitive areas. These critical areas are identified in the County Code as:

● Geologically hazardous areas
● Frequently flooded areas
● Critical aquifer recharge areas
● Wetlands
● Fish and wildlife habitat conservation areas

State guidelines now inform our work, requiring that the best available science should be used in delineating these critical areas and in reviewing potential impacts to them. This year we have an opportunity to improve our management strategies and the sustainability of our land management practices.. For additional information, call Lynda at 370-7579

The Sewage Rules workshop will be held on the 4th of April, also at the SJI Fire District #3 building, and is intended for "septic system designers, installer, O&M personnel, real estate interest, septic tank manufactures and other interested parties"

The workshop will run from 3:30 to 4:30. The presentation will focus on the new State rules that change some of the ways systems will have to be designed, installed and inspected.

Contact Gary Covington or Mark Tompkins at 378-4474 for any additional information.