Chris White, county planning director, clarifies some remarks made at last week's County Rules and Legislative Committee meeting during discussion about a potential board to oversee decentralized septic systems.

"At last week’s committee meeting, Linda Yockey spoke about wastewater regulations. She was under the impression that the Planning Commission voted to send a recommendation back to the County Commission to revisit the idea of forming a wastewater authority. That did NOT occur."

Yockey advised the Rules Committee that she was representing the Planning Commission and White, who was absent for this meeting. Several questions were asked of Yockey regarding the proposed decentralized septic system  board.

White said what actually happened is that the Planning Commission asked him to study the possibility of creating a set of minimum regulations that could be adopted into PC Subdivision Regulations. These would simply establish standards to ensure that if a developer or utility company builds a STEP System or other decentralized wastewater system, it is done to a safe, consistent, and enforceable standard.

"The Planning Commission does not have authority to create a wastewater authority, levy fees, change septic laws, or act beyond its statutory powers. Our role is limited to promulgating subdivision regulations, approving subdivisions, and making zoning recommendations to the County Commission, nothing more."

White said this effort is a positive step, designed to protect homeowners and ensure responsible development. It fills a current gap in County regulations by requiring that decentralized wastewater systems meet basic standards, no different than how building codes protect homeowners when constructing a house. This is a consumer protection effort, nothing more."

"To be clear, this current initiative is not about creating an authority. It’s about establishing sound, enforceable standards at the Planning Commission level to protect residents from unscrupulous private sewer operators. These systems require regular maintenance to function properly, and when that doesn’t occur, as we’re seeing across the state, homeowners are the ones who suffer."

White added, "Citizens rely on us to act responsibly and in their best interest. That’s exactly what we’re doing. But when misinformation spreads, it causes confusion and fear which discourages good policy decisions, and ultimately leaves the people of Bedford County unprotected."