PORT ANGELES — Clallam County and the public utility district have inked an agreement for a long-awaited sewage treatment system in Carlsborg.
The three county commissioners on Tuesday voted 3-0 to approve an interlocal agreement with Clallam County Public Utility District to finalize a $220,000 facilities plan for the $15 million wastewater treatment and reuse system west of Sequim.
The agreement covers scope of work and responsibilities of both public entities. The county is developing a sewer system that the PUD manage it.
Clallam County PUD General Manager Doug Nass signed the amended agreement on Oct. 27.
Commissioner Steve Tharinger said the county has budgeted $3 million for the project and will seek state and federal funds to cover the initial cost of a main trunk line along Carlsborg Road and the wastewater treatment facility near the intersection of Runnion and Carlsborg roads.
Neighborhoods and individual property owners will have the option of hooking into the sewer system after the facility opens in 2012.
“People will have the choice, and it will be a phased-in process,” Tharinger said during a two-hour business meeting.
“One of the issues that’s out there is because of the geology — the size of the cobble in the aquifer recharge area — even the existing septic systems are getting higher and higher readings in the groundwater. So it’s a huge public health issue.”
Nitrate concentrations have risen to approach or exceed maximum levels for drinking water, according to Seattle-based BHC Consultants, which is preparing the facilities plan.
The treatment and water reuse system would remove those nitrates and phosphorus from the groundwater, BHC Consultants engineer John Wilson has said.
Home owners with de-nitrification systems would not be required to hook into the sewer initially.
Postpone rezoning
Meanwhile, the commissioners postponed a decision on a re-zone application from Green Crow for 195 acres of commercial forest land south of Blyn.
Green Crow has applied to rezone eight properties ranging from 19.25 acres to 31.42 acres in the foothills south of Sequim Bay from commercial forest to commercial forest mixed use, which would open the door for limited development with a conditional use permit.
The Clallam County Planning Commission on Sept. 2 voted 6-2 to deny the re-zone application, citing conflicts with the Growth Management Act, the county’s comprehensive plan, erosion and fire hazards.
Bruce Emery, speaking on behalf of Green Crow in public hearing, said 70 percent of the land would not be affected by the rezone.
Commissioner Mike Chapman said Green Crow has an excellent track record of environmental stewardship in the county.
The board agreed to take the matter under further consideration and plans to re-visit the issue when it considers a rezone application from Paul and Paul Partnership for a plot along U.S. Highway 101 west of Lake Crescent later this month.
Earlier in the meeting, the board passed notice of a Nov. 24 consideration of adoption of $998,512 in supplemental appropriations.
Funds are expected to be shifted around in various county departments including Community Development Public Works, Health and Human Services, Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office.
Also on Nov. 24, the board will consider adopting $2,364,545 in budget reductions and hold a public hearing on $3,085,671 in debatable emergencies.
Opened bids
The commissioners opened a stack of bids for Stormwater Advisory Group services and curriculum training for self-inspections for septic system.
Eight bids ranging from $164,708 to $165,467 were opened for work on the Clallam County Stormwater Advisory Group’s comprehensive strategy.
The bids were referred to the Department of Community Development for review and recommendation back to the board.
Seven bids ranging from $45,000 to $65,000 were opened for the do-it-yourself septic system inspection curriculum training. The bids were referred to the Health and Human Services Department for review and recommendation to the board.
The commissioners also approved a proclamation recognizing November as Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease awareness month.
The North Olympic Peninsula has a 40-member support group for those affected Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease that meets on the fourth Saturday of every month at the Mariner Cafe, 707 E. Washington St., Sequim.
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
