### Meeting Overview The Whatcom County Council Public Works & Health Committee met on February 11, 2025, to discuss two agenda items: a road vacation request for Camp 2 Road and proposed amendments to the county's onsite sewage system regulations required by new state rules. ### Key Terms and Concepts **Road Vacation:** A legal process where a government entity gives up its right to a portion of public road right-of-way, typically allowing adjacent property owners to gain ownership of that land. **Right-of-Way:** The legal right for public use of land for roads, utilities, or other public purposes, even when the underlying land may be privately owned. **Onsite Sewage System:** Individual septic systems that treat wastewater on the same property where it's generated, including septic tanks and drain fields. **Minimum Usable Land Area:** A new state requirement that calculates how much of a property can actually be used for sewage treatment, excluding areas like lakes, steep slopes, or other unusable features. **Biomat:** A biological layer that forms in drain fields over time as bacteria break down waste; excessive buildup can cause system failure. **High Strength Waste:** Wastewater with higher concentrations of pollutants, often from restaurants or commercial operations, requiring special treatment. **Technical Advisory Group:** Industry professionals including designers, installers, and maintenance specialists who reviewed the proposed code changes before public consideration. **Homeowner Exemption Packet:** Documentation required when property owners want to install their own septic systems rather than hiring licensed contractors. ### Key People at This Meeting | Name | Role / Affiliation | |---|---| | Jon Scanlon | Committee Chair | | Mark Stremler | Committee Member | | Ben Elenbaas | Committee Member | | Andrew Hester | Whatcom County Public Works | | Hayli Hruza | Health & Community Services, Onsite Sewage System Program Supervisor | | Todd Donovan | Council Member (attending) | | Barry Buchanan | Council Member (attending) | | Tyler Byrd | Council Member (attending) | | Kaylee Galloway | Council Member (attending) | ### Background Context The road vacation request represents a common issue where property surveys reveal that existing homes were built partially within public right-of-way, often due to historical surveying limitations or property line discrepancies. The property owners discovered this issue after purchasing their home and conducting a survey, creating a legal problem that affects their property ownership and potential resale value. The onsite sewage system code changes are mandated by new Washington State Department of Health rules that took effect in March 2024. These changes primarily focus on protecting water quality, particularly groundwater and shellfish growing areas, by requiring larger land areas for septic systems and introducing nitrogen treatment requirements. The county conducted extensive outreach to affected industries and community groups before bringing the changes to the council. ### What Happened — The Short Version Andrew Hester from Public Works presented the Camp 2 Road vacation request, explaining that property owners discovered their house sits partially in the road right-of-way and need the vacation to resolve this legal issue. The committee had no objections and the item will proceed to a public hearing in March. Hayli Hruza from Health & Community Services presented extensive changes to septic system regulations, driven by new state rules taking effect April 1st. Key changes include requiring larger land areas for new systems, new "minimum usable land area" calculations, waste strength sampling for restaurants, and new options for failed systems. The committee discussed potential cost impacts on homeowners and available assistance programs. Both items will be introduced at the evening council meeting, with the road vacation requiring a public hearing and the septic code changes potentially coming back for final action on February 25th. ### What to Watch Next - March council meeting: Public hearing on Camp 2 Road vacation - February 25th: Potential final action on septic code changes (deadline: April 1st) - Next two years: Development of updated Local Management Plan for septic systems - Restaurant owners should prepare for new waste strength sampling requirements ---