I attended the Island County Board of Health meeting on March 15 to hear a report about Island County’s septic inspection program presented by Central Whidbey resident Jeff Lauderdale.

Mr. Lauderdale, an engineer, provided extensive documentation to show how the Island County septic inspection program is based on faulty science, is unreasonably expensive for all owners of septic systems in Island County and has financial penalties that could cost homeowners thousands of dollars each year, even if their septic system is working perfectly! In fact, most septic system owners already have incurred fines of more than $6,000 ($25 per day since July 1 2009) for failing to have their septic systems inspected.

Following Mr. Lauderdale’s presentation, the Board of Island County Commissioners stated that despite the lack of supporting science and the high cost to Island County residents, they intend to continue with the program because it might have some unspecified benefit to the environment at some unspecified time in the future.

This is madness!

Dick Caldwell

Ledgewood Beach