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Community Development Agency, Environmental Management Division, recommending the Board authorize submittal of the draft Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWRCB) for their review and approval. Following potential modification and approval by the RWRCB, the LAMP will be brought back to the Board for approval of the final document.
FUNDING: N/A
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DEPARTMENT RECOMMENDATION
Community Development Agency, Environmental Management Division (EMD) is recommending the Board of Supervisors (Board) authorize submittal of the draft Local Agency Management Program (LAMP) to the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) for review and approval in compliance with the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment Systems, pursuant to SWRCB Resolution No. 2012-0032 and California Water Code, section 13140.
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
Assembly Bill 885, approved September 27, 2000, directed the SWRCB to develop regulations or standards for onsite wastewater treatment systems to be implemented by qualified local agencies. On June 19, 2012, the SWRCB adopted Resolution No. 2012-0032, adopting the Water Quality Control Policy for Siting, Design, Operation, and Maintenance of Onsite Wastewater Treatment System (OWTS Policy). The OWTS Policy establishes a statewide, risk-based, tiered approach for the regulation and management of onsite wastewater treatment systems (also known as septic systems), including design, installation and replacement, and sets the level of performance and protection expected from properly functioning septic systems. The OWTS Policy allows local agencies to approve septic systems, based on a local ordinance, after approval of a LAMP by the RWQCB.
The OWTS Policy defines each tier for determining the best approach to minimizing impacts due to septic systems:
Tier 0 - Existing septic systems that are properly functioning, and do not meet the conditions of failing systems, or otherwise require corrective action.
Tier 1 - Low-Risk new, or replacement septic systems, that meet low risk siting, and design requirements specified by the OWTS Policy, and where there is not an approved LAMP.
Tier 2 - LAMP for new and replacement septic systems. The State recognizes the effectiveness of local permitting agencies, and therefore has provided local agencies the opportunity to develop a LAMP. EMD would fall under this tier if the proposed draft LAMP is approved by the RWQCB.
Tier 3 - Addresses existing, new and replacement septic systems that are near impaired water bodies. There are no impaired water bodies documented in El Dorado County; therefore, this tier does not apply.
Tier 4 - Addresses septic systems that are failing and require corrective action. Corrective action of failing septic systems is specified in the proposed draft LAMP.
El Dorado County already meets most of the State requirements cited in the OWTS Policy through the following documents:
• General Plan: Public Services and Utilities Element;
• Draft Land Development Manual: Chapter 3, Sewage Disposal and Water Requirements;
• Existing County ordinances:
o Chapter 110.32: Private Sewage Disposal Systems,
o Chapter 13.12: Sewer System,
o Chapter 8.06: Liquid Waste (Septage) Hauler Registration;
o Chapter 8.39: Well Construction and Water Supply Standards (under revision);
• Current Resolution No. 259-99 - Site Evaluation and Design of Sewage Disposal Systems, and a revised draft resolution that will replace Resolution No. 259-99 to update requirements to meet the OWTS Policy.
The proposed draft LAMP incorporates these documents by reference into one document, and adds any requirements to meet the OWTS Policy that may not already be covered within the existing documents. Draft documents are included in the proposed LAMP in order to ensure that the RWQCB approves of the County’s approach before these documents are formally revised and approved by the Board.
A draft of the LAMP must be submitted to the RWQCB for review in May 2016. The RWQCB has up to one (1) year to review and approve the draft LAMP. Upon approval by the RWQCB, EMD will return to the Board to request consideration and approval of any remaining draft documents, such as the revision to Resolution No. 259-99 and the final LAMP, for implementation no later than May 2018.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board may choose not to authorize EMD to submit the draft LAMP to the RWQCB, in which case, the County of El Dorado would be required to meet the more prescriptive standards in the State’s OWTS Policy.
OTHER AGENCY / DEPARTMENT INVOLVEMENT
N/A
CAO RECOMMENDATION
Chief Administrative Office concurs with staff's recommendations.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost at this time. In the event the proposed LAMP is approved by the RWQCB and the Board at a future date, anticipated costs of implementation include staff time to prepare annual reporting on the OWTS regulatory efforts described in the LAMP.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
N/A
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Good Governance
CONTACT
Greg Stanton, REHS, Director
Community Development Agency
Environmental Management Division