Septics are owners’ responsibilty

As of July 2007, the county, without justification, has extended their role into the areas of operating, monitoring and maintaining septic systems. These particular areas are solely the responsibility of the owner! Read Ch. 8.07D.280 para. A, Island County Code, “The OSS owner is responsible for operating, monitoring and maintaining the OSS.” “The county has arbitrarily assumed authority over private property. This action is a violation of the 4th Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects against unreasonable search and seizures shall no be violated.”

It really appears that our elected officials have no faith in the intelligence, abilities, or the views of the people.

This unlawful government intrusion into the private sector, without “probable cause” must be corrected by revising “Washington State On-Site Sewage Systems, Ch. 246-272 WAC” and “On-Site Sewage System Regulations, Ch. 8.07D, Island County Code.”

The revisions must delete all state and county involvement in operations, monitoring and maintenance of septic systems and county involvement enforcing provisions.

In the interim, the Island County commissioners should advise the state that Island County is holding in abeyance all county involvement in the operations, monitoring and maintenance of septic systems and the accompanying enforcement measures until the septic system regulations of bother the county and state are revised as outlined in the proceeding paragraph.

Donald P. Brady

Oak Harbor

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