Request for Community Service Volunteers for Sewer Advisory Group
Jefferson County is moving ahead with sewer design for the Irondale/Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA) as required by the State Growth Management Act.
As part of the design process the Department of Community Development is seeking interested individuals from a broad range of community interests to be part of a Sewer Advisory Group. The Sewer Advisory Group will offer participants an opportunity to provide stakeholder perspectives on key policy and technical issues related to wastewater system design, public involvement approaches, and funding and financing strategies. This group is advisory only. Participation will require working collaboratively, productively, and will require some homework. There will be at least four meetings approximately in May, July, August, & October. The group size is limited.
Please email or mail a brief letter of interest and abilities for serving in the group to: Joel Peterson, jpeterson@co.jefferson.wa.us or Attn: Joel Peterson, Department of Community Development, 621 Sheridan Street, Port Townsend, WA 98368.
Any questions? Call Joel at 379-4472.
Port Hadlock UGA - Sewer Facility Plan
Sewer Facility Plan Adopted into County Comprehensive Plan
On March 23, 2009 the Jefferson County Board of County Commissioners approved an ordinance adopting the Sewer Facility Plan as an element of the County’s Comprehensive Plan.
- Over 35 attendees participated in a public open house on January 27, 2009 about the final draft Sewer Facility Plan and next steps for sewer design and financing work.
- Next phase of sewer development is underway – A consultant team has been selected and is now moving forward with the preliminary design of the treatment plant and influent pump station. This will bring the design of these facilities up to the 30% completion level.
 In September 2008 Jefferson County completed the final draft Sewer Facility Plan for the Irondale/Port Hadlock Urban Growth Area (UGA) as required by the State of Washington Growth Management Act. See the Sewer Facility Plan and environmental review documents.
In late 2008 the Washington State Departments of Health and Ecology provided final approval of the Sewer Facility Plan as an Engineering Report. DOE and DOH approval are required by state law before final design and construction of the facilities can begin. A Sewer Facility Plan approved by DOE and DOH makes the project eligible for a variety of funding programs.
On January 27, 2009 a Sewer Review Committee made up of representatives from local governments and municipalities met to review the Sewer Facility Plan as required by state law. The Sewer Review Committee recommended the plan’s adoption by the Board of County Commissioners.
The January 2009 Sewer Facility Plan newsletter.
Project Background
 In response to the 1990 Growth Management Act (GMA), Jefferson County pursued the designation of an Urban Growth Area (UGA) in the Irondale/Port Hadlock area. As part of the requirements for establishing a UGA, Jefferson County is conducting a study of alternatives for developing a sewer system.
The sewer study will enable the County to identify:
- The final preferred alternative or method of collection, treatment, and disposal/reuse of wastewater,
- The service area,
- The phasing of implementation of sewers throughout the service area,
- The estimated cost for individual connections to sewer, and
- Financing strategy and revenue sources.
The goal of the study is to produce a comprehensive sewer facility plan that will help the County plan for growth in the area over the next 20 years; that will satisfy RCW 36.94 concerning County's sewerage, water, and drainage system responsibilities; and that will be approved by the Department of Ecology.
Expected Outcomes
A general sewer plan will be prepared that provides enough detail for Jefferson County to move directly to the design phase. It will fulfill the GMA requirements to provide sanitary sewer throughout the new UGA over the 20-year planning period and to show a defined funding mechanism for sewer service within the next six years for areas where commercial and residential development is allowed at urban densities.
Related Efforts
As the project team plans for a sewer system, they will continue to consider any interrelationships with other planning efforts, such as the Quilcene - Snow Watershed Resource Inventory Area (WRIA 17) and water supply planning by Jefferson County PUD #1. The project team recognizes that existing septic systems provide groundwater recharge, which may in turn feed Chimacum Creek and contribute to the area's water supply. The sewer plan must support the goals of those planning efforts.
Updated 10/23/2008 |
