Water quality code changes questioned

DOVER -- "Some things just need to be governed, and water quality is one of them," said Linda Mitchell, vice-chair of the Lakes Commission.

A dedicated core of individuals convened at the Dover City Hall Wednesday for the commission's quarterly meeting. Among those on the agenda were Milton Ollerton of the Bonner County Planning Department, Tom Woolf of the Idaho State Department of Agriculture, and Shannon Williamson of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper.

Ollerton attended the Lakes Commission meeting by invitation. Board members wanted to find out more about a recent revision to Bonner County code governing new construction. Under the revision, builders no longer need to obtain a sign-off on the building plan from Panhandle Health District prior to obtaining a building location permit.

He summed up the revision in two sentences.

"Our goal is to make the process easier and less expensive (for residents)," he said. "We never required a septic permit anyhow." He was referring to the misconception that the septic permit was a prerequisite for a building locator permit.

“Why the sign-off in the first place?" asked commissioner Erin Mader. "What was the benefit of that process to the homeowner?"

Dale Peck of PHD was present, and he answered the question. "The sign-off was an assist to the county to ensure the location of the building being proposed did not pose a problem for the septic system."

“The commissioners trying to streamline this process is actually a big bugaboo. If you expect people to self-monitor, it's not going to happen," Mitchell said.

“Impacts to water quality tend not to be visible. They can go on a long time, and no one can find the source … that’s a concern, and the county plays a part in that,” said Mader.

“I just think it's a bad idea, getting Panhandle Health out of it. They can prevent these problems from happening in the future. I think your bosses are on the wrong course," attendee Bruce Yokam told Ollerton. 

The code revision does not go into effect for 30 days after commissioner approval, giving residents the chance to make their opinions known to the Bonner County Commission.

Woolf gave those assembled Wednesday an update on his department's invasive aquatic species program. With 16 watercraft inspection stations throughout Idaho, his program aims to prevent boaters from transporting such species as zebra mussels, Asian clams and Eurasian watermilfoil to local waterways. For the first time his year, the stations are open from dawn to dusk, enabling a nearly 40-percent increase in inspections over last year, he said.

Woolf provided listeners with an update on aquatic weed control, which includes herbicidal treatments, diver removal and biodegradable barriers. Of 67 weeds designated by the state of Idaho as noxious, 16 are aquatic, according to the state invasive species website. He mentioned flowering rush in Lake Pend Oreille as an area of current concern for his department, which is testing various strategies to control its growth.

Shannon Williamson of Lake Pend Oreille Waterkeeper told the group about her organization and its recent activities.

"We exist to keep our water swimmable, fishable and drinkable,” she said.

During a Powerpoint presentation, she shared some of the data collected by the organization's citizen science monitoring program. Volunteers obtain water samples once per month from 16 separate stations on the lake. A lab in Coeur d'Alene runs biological tests for bacteria and chemical tests to gauge levels of oxygen, pH, phosphorus, nitrogen and total organic carbon.

Waterkeepers recently wrapped up a pilot program to test storm water draining into Lake Pend Oreille tributaries. One sample collection site was near the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce while the other was under the Schweitzer Cutoff bridge in Ponderay, Williamson said.

In April, they found high levels of diesel, nutrients and surfactants in water samples from the Ponderay location. It also contained E. coli at 10 times the state health standard, she said. The following month, however, bacteria levels were down. 

"Storm water is not treated. It drains directly into Lake Pend Oreille, and Sandpoint is not required to treat storm water," said Williamson.

Waterkeepers is seeking funding to continue the storm water study. The organization forwards the data it collects to regulatory agencies.

Information: http://www.lakependoreillewaterkeeper.org/