Deschutes County groundwater ordinance referendum (2009)

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A Deschutes County groundwater ordinance referendum, also known as "local rule" or "Measure 9-70", was on the March 10, 2009 ballot in Deschutes County. "No" carried with 56.99% of the vote, meaning that the 2008 ordinance has been overturned. [1]

History

The Deschutes County board of commissioners passed a groundwater regulation in 2008. County residents who objected to the new ordinance circulated petitions to force the new ordinance to a vote of the people through the county's veto referendum process.[2]

The new ordinance requires homeowners in the southern part of the county to upgrade septic systems to models that do a better job of reducing nitrates. Specifically:

  • All septic systems must upgrade to an approved nitrate reducing system over the next fourteen years.
  • 6,500 existing septic units in southern Deschutes County are affected by this requirement.
  • New systems will cost property owners between $7,000-$16,000.[3]

After the signatures were collected, County District Attorney Mike Dugan wrote a ballot title for the ballot item. Supporters of the referendum believed that title to be unfair and non-neutral and filed a lawsuit to get it changed. That lawsuit was heard by Deschutes County Circuit Judge Michael Adler. Adler ruled in favor of Dugan's ballot title in mid-January, leaving the title as is. La Pine resident Ron Sharbaugh argued, unsuccessfully, that the ballot description should include specific townships and ranges of where the requirements will take affect.[3]

Effect of a "yes" vote

Voting "yes" agrees with the ordinace passed by the Deschutes County board in 2008.

Effect of a "no" vote

A "no" vote is a vote to overturn or nullify the groundwater ordinance passed by the Deschutes County board in 2008.

External links

References

  1. ↑ "Deschutes County Election Results", March 10, 2009
  2. ↑ Bend Bulletin, "Keep the water clean, January 4, 2009
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 KOHD-TV, "So. County Water Issue in Court: UPDATE Voters will Decide in March", January 15, 2009
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