HomeMy WebLinkAbout082323 Letter re: Brinnon Sewer Project; Baisch TO: Jefferson County Commissioners, Brotherton, Dean and Eisenhour F EC EIVED
Jefferson County PUD Director: Streett AUG 2 3 2023
FROM: Joe Baisch, Brinnon Sewer Committee
JEFFE6 S N! COUNTY
SUBJECT: Brinnon Sewer Project COMM!SB ONERS
In 2004 Joy and I attended the first meeting of Governor Gregoire's plan to install MBR
wastewater systems in Hood Canal's Washington State Parks. Hood Canal Water Quality and its
relationship to the Canal's multi million dollar shell fish industry was the primary reason for this
investment. We argued that the Brinnon Commercial Zone on the North side of the Dosewallips
River should be included in our Park's Wastewater Project.
Because of our State Park's geology, locating the new plant on Park property was not possible.
A 20 acre parcel off Church Road (North Side of the River) was purchased by State Parks and the
MBR plant is now located on that property. The plant was designed to serve both the State Park
and the Brinnon Commercial Zone. The four inch HDPT welded seam main runs from the State
Park, through the Commercial Zone and up to the plant.
In 2014, the State Park's plant was finally completed. We petitioned Commercial Zone property
owners in an effort to have Jefferson County PUD form a "Local Utility District" to manage and
fund the system hook ups. Then PUD Director Parker planned an "effluent only" system
approved by the designer, with an estimated cost of$10,000.00 per hook up. Director Parker
also engaged USDA Rural Development to fund the project.
The 2014 effort was stalled due to the State's Growth Management Act's limitation on "urban
infrastructure" in Rural Village Center designated communities. Brinnon is a "Rural Village
Center".
We, Brinnon, challenged this ruling using our Growth Management Sub Area Plan developed
over three years (1999-2001). We called for water and wastewater infrastructure in our
commercial zone. The plan was approved by the State.
So, here we are in 2023 now stalled again primarily by new FEMA flood plain requirements and
questions as to who might be willing to fund the project...
Jefferson County need to step up and get this project done. Eliminating aging drain fields in the
Brinnon Commercial Zone is critical to the original purpose of developing these MBR Systems.
(Hood Canal Water Quality) Having effluent stored in tanks and pumped into the welded seam
in would have a much better chance of preventing septic pollution from reaching Hood
n
oe Baisch