Commissioners plan work on biosolids ordinance; okay sand sales

Wahkiakum County commissioners handled a wide variety of issues ranging from a possible biosolids ordinance to salmon fishery politics when they met Tuesday.

Commissioners agreed to hold a workshop next Tuesday, 1 p.m., to work on an ordinance to regulate application of biosolids in the county.

The state Department of Ecology claims jurisdiction over the disposal of the fertilizer derived from human waste and has issued a permit to a Long Beach firm to spread septage, the least treated form of biosolid, on a Grays River ranch, once the rainy season is over.

Westend residents opposing the permit have lobbied for a county ordinance to control biosolids. Prosecuting Attorney Dan Bigelow has said Ecology will sue if the county tries to usurp the department's authority, but an ordinance could be written to prevent biosolids from entering flood waters.

In response to a question from Commissioner Blair Brady, Bigelow said a moratorium wasn't legally defensible.

"We need to create something that is not an outright ban," Bigelow said. "We have to limit use to distances. We need criteria for setbacks."

The ordinance would also have to be applicable county wide, said commission Chair Lisa Marsyla.

"People have to realize this is just not a Westend issue," said Carol Larson of Rosburg. "There could be permits issued for the Elochoman Valley."

Commissioner Dan Cothren replied that there are concerned people in the Elochoman.

Commissioners said they have no problem with Class A biosolids, which are highly treated, and they would want controls on Class B biosolids, which are less treated.

"My concern is that the amount of conflicting information is staggering," said Commissioner Blair Brady.

In other business Tuesday:

--Commercial fisherman Kent Martin urged the commissioners to work with colleagues in Pacific, Clatsop and Columbia counties to counter measures in the Oregon legislature that would move nets off the mainstem Columbia and into select areas such as Young's Bay and Deep River.

He also urged the counties to work with state fishery managers to counter a National Marine Fisheries Service initiative to restrict production from hatcheries that produce fish for sport and commercial fisheries.

Commissioners said they would meet with the other boards to discuss the issues.

--The board approved a call for bids to replace radio transmission poles at Wendt Elementary School with a 110-foot high monopole with antennas and microwave dishes capable of handling upgrades in emergency services radio communications.

Cathlamet Fire Department Captain Beau Renfro, who is coordinating the radio system upgrade, said the microwave dishes should maintain communication in almost all disasters.

--The board authorized the Public Works Department to sell 250-300 cubic yards of sand from the Puget Island Sand Pit, which the county shares with Diking District No. 1.

Public Works Director Pete Ringen said citizens have requested the sand; many were unable to get sand the last time the county had the pit open. The board agreed to allow citizens to buy 10 cubic yards; citizens will have to enter a drawing to be selected.

Ringen said there would be 1,000 cubic yards left in the pit for county use and 1,500 for diking district use.

--Meeting as a quasi-judicial board on an appeal of a fine for a violation of county shoreline regulations, the commission voted to reduce a fine on a Puget Island couple from $1,000 to $250.

Bigelow said Joe and Carolyn Abeyta had covered wetlands outside the dike adjacent to their Little Island home without a permit.

The county and state agencies investigated, and the county ordered the sand be removed, or there would be the $1,000 fine.

Bigelow said the Abeytas had removed the sand, and he suggested that the fine could be reduced or waived.

Commissioners discussed the matter and settled on reducing the amount to $250.