Archives
You Did It Again!06/09/2011 - Thanks to all the Sludge Report readers for their e-mails and letters to Governor Scott. Phase III funding is approved! SB550 inspections are delayed until the DOH plan is reviewed by the Legislative Budget Committee! New Central Florida homeowner group, TRI-County Association H.E.L.P., Inc. launches their website, and membership drive is underway. No rest for the weary, L Legislative Committee Meetings start in August 2011, and the Legislature convenes in January, 2012. Water Forum 2011 report. Check out Calendar for other important meetings coming up. read more...... |
Your Emails and Letters are Needed05/18/2011 - Within 30 days of the end of Florida’s legislative session, the Governor must sign or veto the budget and laws considered and passed by the House and Senate. Governor Scott also has line item veto authority, which means he can veto any single line item or portion of the budget provisions. There are two items of extreme importance to all septic owners. If you have not already contacted the Governor’s office asking for his support of these two items, please do so as soon as possible. We have provided a sample message, but your own words are acceptable. PLEASE DO THIS TODAY and pass along to your e-mail circles. THANK YOU! read more...... |
GAME OVER!05/09/2011 - Tallahassee emptied out on Saturday after a one day extension of the official end of session. The news has been filtering in all weekend. What’s the score? Did we get repeal of SB550 inspections? Was it repeal and replace with another inspection program? Was it delay? What happened with the Phase III Nitrogen Reduction Study funding? What else passed you need to know about? There is a new head of the Dept. of Health. A heads-up for you to keep you safe from some scamming going on. read more...... |
CS CS CS SB1698 – SEPTIC SYSTEM INSPECTION BILL UPDATE04/24/2011 - Simple facts should remind everyone why the SB550 inspection provisions and the rule-making authority of the Department of Health MUST BE repealed – and why it needs to stay repealed. New amendment ready for Senator Dean’s SB550 repeal and replace bill. Contact information for you to let your voice be heard on this new Amendment that is in the works, waiting for adoption. Citizens actually participated! Do not delay in contacting your Senator. More news… EPA challenged by Congress and Gov. Scott to produce credible documentation for imposing numeric nutrient criteria on Florida. read more...... |
A Reason to Reset Your Thinking About Sewers04/04/2011 -
News you did not
get – until now.
It’s about failing systems, only this time it wasn’t septic
systems that failed.
Add “exfiltration” and “infiltration to your vocabulary – here’s
an editorial that may change your perspective. |
SB1698 Moves through Senate Committees04/04/2011 -
Update on septic system inspection legislation moving though committees. Do your homework, connect with your legislator and track the progress of these bills. |
New Organization Formed To Represent Orange, Lake and Seminole Counties03/08/2011 -
TRI-County Association H.E.L.P. is up and running and ready to
represent the citizens of Lake, Orange and Seminole County.
Stated mission – impact legislation and rule-making governing
septic systems. Phase II of the FDOH Nitrogen Reduction
Strategy is underway and Hazen & Sawyer wants to install new
septic systems in Wekiva Study Area yards – free. Contact
Hazen & Sawyer for information. More news from around the state
and from Tallahassee, and an editorial about “low hanging
fruit.” |
More Info: Select Committee on Water Resources Begins Its Work01/23/2011 -
Select Committee on Water Resources begins its work. Why it’s needed. Complete list of Representatives on the Committee. Important dates in the Calendar for this committee and for Senator Charles Dean’s Environmental Preservation and Conservation Committee. More lawsuits filed against EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria Rules.
read
more...... |
Tallahassee Updates Since The Elections01/10/2011 -
In this issue we are covering a mountain of news items.
Much has happened since the Special Session in
November. The
newly elected Governor Scott and the Legislature have wasted
no time bringing new people and a new focus to the table.
Things are moving swiftly, and it will be a challenge
to make sure you are aware of all that is going on, so you
can be effective in your efforts to reach out to your
legislators and have a voice in the decisions that affect
you. As always,
we ask that you pass information to your friends and
acquaintances, and ask them to do the same. |
State of Florida files lawsuit against EPA12/11/2010 - State
of Florida files lawsuit against EPA. This is a welcome
move, as the proposed Numeric Nutrient Criteria will bring
devastation to Florida’s economy. New “Select
Committee on Water Resources” formed by House Speaker
Rep. Dean Cannon. Congratulations to Rep. Trudi Williams on
her appointment to chair this important new committee.
read
more...... |
Tallahassee Update11/18/2010 -
In a special session, our legislators voted to delay inspections. HB 1565, probably the most important legislation to protect us from unwarranted rule making, is now in place. Please thank your legislators for their actions.
read
more...... |
Great News!11/12/2010 -
There are three key items that can benefit from your email to legislators -- Please check this out. We can have a huge impact in the up coming Special Legislative Session.
read
more...... |
Special Legislative Session11/04/2010 -
Special Legislative Session on Nov. 16, may bring a delay in
the Septic System Inspection Program.
read
more...... |
Legislators and Candidates Take Note10/29/2010.- It’s in the DOH rule!!! The tests mandated in the inspection rule are essentially a “RECALL” of existing, permitted septic systems. Total cost to residents in 2011, $30 Million Dollars. Low Income Grant to pay for inspection costs and system replacement not available until 2012, but the income guidelines are posted here. See if you are eligible. Also in this issue: Five more Florida Counties pass resolutions protesting septic inspection costs and the economic burden on Florida citizens. Check the Calendar Section for important meetings coming up.
THE MOST IMPORTANT DATE: NOVEMBER 2 – ELECTION DAY. Support those candidates who support you!
Click here to
see their statements. North Florida resident published in the Opinion column of the Santa Rosa Press Gazette. It’s a great read! Thanks, Sharon.
More new letters from our readers are published. . read
more...... |
Community Response is Unified In Their Opposition to SB55010/22/2010.- Resolution to amend or repeal the septic system inspection provisions of SB550 passes the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Over one hundred residents protest at the Dept. of Health public meeting in DeFuniak Springs. Florida On-Site
Wastewater Association representing septic contractors calls for amending SB550. read
more...... |
Protests Over SB550 Septic Inspections Widens10/5/2010.- Santa Rosa Press: Guest Viewpoint Highlights Problems with SB550 Inspection Mandates And the Dept. of Health Rules that Govern Inspections. Click Link to Read: http://www.srpressgazette.com/opinion/law-11284-rosa-santa.html |
Resolutions Against SB55011/12/2010.-
We have placed all of the various county and city resolutions that have come to The Sludge Report in one place for your convenience.
resolutions.... |
Thumbs Up on Septic System Inspections - Thumbs Down on Dept. of Health Rules Governing Inspections10/3/2010.- Inspections are not the problem. The Dept. of Health rule governing inspections is the problem. The DOH rule is not about fixing broken septic systems. As the rule is written, it could cost unsuspecting homeowners thousands of dollars to fix something that isn’t broken.read
more...... |
Caught In the Crosshairs of the New Kings: The Bureaucrats9/30/2010.- Florida residents are easy targets for bureaucratic taxation. Also in this report: EPA mandates will hurt Jacksonville residents and businesses, Congressional action on EPA rule implementation, and an editorial on the impact of the Dept. of Health rules on Metro Orlando residents on the financial edge.read
more...... |
Governor Crist Ignores TRAP Committee Recommendation and Won't Delay Septic Bill9/25/2010.-
Immediately following the conclusion of the TRAP Committee's
recommendation to postone implementation of SB 550, Governor
Crist chose to release a statement in support of moving
forward. This report includes a letter from Rep. Trudi
WIlliams, the bill's co-author, that the DOH rule was wrong.
read
more...... |
TRAP MEETING UPDATE9/23/2010.-
The following speech was delivered to the TRAP (Technical Review and Advisory Panel) by Andrea Samson on behalf of all members of the Wekiva Study Area Homeowners Coalition, and septic system owners throughout the state. This message along with presentations by legislators, septic contractors, civic and professional group were well received, and hopefully the resolutions passed by the TRAP committee will help modify and/or postpone the implementation of the rules the Department of Health (DOH) has formulated. To be sure, the sum of this meeting input from all sources is that SB 550 will be amended in some way next session, and it was the opinion of the TRAP committee that DOH “administration” of the inspection program would be sufficient to satisfy the language of SB550, but any actual implementation of the inspection program before the next legislative session is unwise, since the changes to SB550 may override the DOH rule provisions. A full and detailed summary of the proceedings will be posted in a few days. Please check back.
text of the speech...... |
IMPORTANT MEETINGS COMING UP!9/15/2010.-
As we anticipated, the Department of Health (DOH) is in the process of developing rules to implement SB550 provisions about septic system inspections. Also, as we anticipated, the DOH is has taken misinterpretation of the law to a whole new level. Your input is essential. DOH has refused to schedule a public hearing in Central Florida! The TRAP meeting is our only opportunity to give DOH our input. If you can’t attend the TRAP meeting, write, call, e-mail your State Senators and Representatives.
read more..... |
LET THE VOTING BEGIN!8/9/2010.-
Primary voting begins today with early voting. Read position statements submitted by candidates for Orange County Mayor. We will be publishing position statements about our septic system issue as we receive them, so check often. Also, an editorial opinion regarding “incumbents” that hopefully will help you make sound and factual choices.
read more..... |
Factoids, Questions and Musings6/22/2010.- Helpful hints on keeping your septic system in great shape. Editorial comments on the EPA and Senate Bill 550. read more..... |
Senate Bill 550 signed by the Governor6/21/2010.- Senate Bill 550 signed by the Governor. This issue details the provisions contained in SB550’s septic system inspection program. Also, we received notification that on 5/28/10 the Phase II Study funding was approved! read more..... |
An important message from Rep. Bryan Nelson, District 3805/26/2010 - Rep. Nelson's message provides a summary of the new septic system inspection program, additional SB550 provisions, the Phase II budget item to continue the passive alternatives study, and the potential impact of the EPA’s involvement in our state’s water quality issues. A must read. Thanks to all our state legislators who worked so diligently on our behalf. read more..... |
Letter from Fred Brummer submitted to the Apopka Chief on SB55005/14/2010 - Fred Brummer, Orange County's District 2 Commissioner responds to the final version of SB550 awaiting the Governor's signature. read more..... |
Details of the Newly Passed SB55005/04/2010 - All of the details of the Florida Legislation SB550 and how it will affect home owners with septic systems is included in this report. Also included is what you need to know about the newly mandated inspection program. read more..... |
| 04/16/2010 - Representative Scott Plakon, District 37, whose district included parts of Orange and Seminole County, has published a summary of the issues surrounding the Phase II study. If you haven’t sent in your letters and e-mails to legislators, this will help you understand and communicate with them. Phase II is extremely important, and as it stands right now, it is included in the House Budget, but not the Senate budget. We appreciate your involvement and your action on this issue. Deadline for submitting comments and PROTESTS to the EPA has been extended to April 28. If you have not registered your comments on the EPA website, please try to get those in before the 4/28 deadline. Please open the link to read Orange County Commissioner Fred Brummer’s comments regarding this. The information was published in the Apopka Chief. |
Orlando Sentinel published an editorial opinion entitled “Tanks for Nothing”04/11/2010 - ” (Orlando Sentinel Sunday Edition) In our opinion, the lack of accurate information is astounding. And, one of our readers thought so too. The Sludge Report was copied on the response to that article. You can read that response here, as it would be surprising if the Orlando Sentinel would publish it. Any of our readers are welcome to send us their letters and we will be happy to publish them. Click on “Letters” to read more of what our community has to say. read more ..... |
THIS IS A MUST READ!!!! Senate Bill 550 must be defeatedMake sure you read this to understand what the bill says. Contact your legislators and ask them to defeat this outrageous attempt to control your basic human rights, your property rights, and your constitutional rights. read more ..... |
READY FOR A REGIONAL WATER CZAR?04/05/2010 - SB550 creates state-wide regional “Super Agencies” to control every aspect of our lives; build fee structures and controls over septic systems; pass rules that do not need local or state legislative review; take control of local water authorities, land planning and permitting boards; issue bonds; receive ad-valorem taxes, and on and on. The sky is the limit on the authority and scope of this new “Responsible Management Entity (RME),” as it is called in SB550. We have highlighted some of the more obnoxious provisions contained in SB550. Whether you have a septic system or not, this bill impacts YOU. Call, e-mail, visit all of your senators and representatives in Tallahassee and ask for their help in defeating SB550. Contact your local town and county representatives as well. This affects THEM! read more ..... |
URGENT REQUEST!04/03/2010 - Contact your legislators immediately to preserve funding for the "Passive Alternative Study" and defeat SB550. - read more ..... |
NEW EPA Information04/03/2010 - The EPA postpones comment deadlines and schedules new public hearings - read more ..... |
Latest EPA Nutrient Rule Making News03/23/2010 - This Report contains important background information on EPA news, Senator Constantine's new SB550, an introduction to the "Select Committee on Florida’s Inland Waters" and a Sludge Report Editorial - read more ..... |
A Markham Woods Resident and HOA Alert!03/23/2010 - All homeowners and Homeowner Associations need to read and respond to this alert. Your support is essential. - read more ..... |
Septic Inspection Bill Filed In The House02-28-2010 - Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City has sponsored HB 727 which, according to an article in the Panama City News Herald , requires inspections and pump outs at least once every five years. While inspections are generally a good idea, this bill contains language that once again can be interpreted by the Department of Health and the Fl Department of Environmental Protection and used to introduce unacceptable and unreasonable rules and pass/fail standards. - read more...... |
Update on EPA Numeric Nutrient Criteria Proposal02-17-2010 - Resourcs, background, actions and links to learn more about the Federal EPA proposal affecting Floridians - Billions at stake - read more...... |
Florida Onsite Sewage Nitrogen Reduction Strategies (FOSNRS) Interim Study Released to RRAC (Research Review and Advisory Committee)02/08/2010 - A 38-page study has been released by the Dept. of Health, Bureau of On-Site Sewage. Contained in this report are topics and statements that give real insight into the reasons certain wastewater treatment technologies may be required of homeowners with septic systems in the Wekiva Study Area, and elsewhere in the state - read more ..... |
Orange County Legislative Delegation Meeting Held October 19, 200902/07/2010 - A presentation on home owner concerns regarding septic systems was given to the legislators prior to the 2010 legislative session - read more ..... |
TMDL’s Matter to Septic Owners – in spite of what FDEP says02/05/2010 - "Total Maximum Daily Loads for nutrients including nitrogen are not our concern" says the Florida Department of Environmental Protection. They DO Matter - read more ..... |
A Numeric Nutrient Criteria (NNC) for Florida's Waters02/05/2010 - The EPA has proposed a new rule regarding the NNC for our waters - read more..... For a sample letter to send to Florida legislators about this EPA proposal, click here. read more...... |
A Letter from Markham Woods Association to Florida Legislators02/05/2010 - Representing the Markham Woods Association, Tom Feeney prepared and sent a letter articulating the concerns of MWA homeowners with regard to Senator Constantine's proposals for legislative action regarding septic systems. To download a copy - read more..... |
You can download past Sludge Reports here:
| The Sludge Report dated 05/17/2009 | |
| The Sludge Report dated 04/14/2009 | |
| The Sludge Report dated 04/04/2009 | |
| Sludge Reports are published in Adobe Reader. |
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