State House GOP Note Septic Regulation Hearings; Object To Relocation Of Social Security Administation

Delaware State House Republican Caucus sent this along ~

NEWS:

Public Hearing Set on Pending Septic Regulations

 The public will get an opportunity Thursday to offer their opinions on proposals that would change the way Delaware regulates septic systems.

Thousands of Delaware homes rely on such systems to treat their wastewater.

Under the tentative rules being proposed by the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC), new and replacement septic systems within 1,000 feet of the Chesapeake Bay's tidal waters would need to meet stricter nutrient removal standards. 

The higher efficiency systems can cost as much as $6,000 more than a conventional system.

Nearly identical requirements have been in place since 2008 for homeowners living close to the Inland Bays' tributaries.

The new rules are being driven by mandates requiring the six Chesapeake Bay Watershed states to reduce nitrogen and phosphorous pollution below federally established thresholds.

The public hearing will be held in the auditorium of DNREC's Richardson & Robbins Building (89 Kings Highway, Dover) starting at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 21. 

Proposed amendments to be presented in the hearing include: new licensing requirements; design considerations; and revised guidelines for residential and community septic systems.

Written comments will also be accepted until Nov. 21 via email addressed to: john.hayes@state.de.us.

More information on the proposals can be found on DNREC's website or by calling Kathleen Saunders at 302-739-9948.

State Lawmakers Object to Social Security Office Move

Seven downstate members of the House of Representatives have waded into the ongoing controversy over the pending move of the Social Security Administration's (SSA) Georgetown office.

State Reps. Danny Short, R-Seaford; Ruth Briggs King, R-Georgetown; Ron Gray, R-Selbyville; Tim Dukes, R-Laurel; Harvey Kenton, R-Milford; Bobby Outten, R-Harrington; and Dave Wilson, R-Cedar Creek Hundred have sent a letter to Delaware's congressional delegation protesting the relocation of the office serving Sussex County.

The lease is expiring on the agency's current office space and SSA officials have reportedly entered into a long-term contract for new accommodations just west of Lewes.

The seven state representatives argue that it makes little sense to relocate the office from its central Sussex location to the northeast corner of the county 12 miles away.  The letter summarizes the logistical benefits of keeping the office in the county seat, citing the proximity of other nearby government agencies frequented by constituents. 

Additionally, they say the Lewes-area location will lengthen travel times and increase the burden on the majority of county residents needing to visit the SSA office.

"We are requesting your support in retaining the Social Security Office in Georgetown," states the letter sent to U.S. Rep. John Carney and U.S. Sens. Tom Carper & Chris Coons.  "We are convinced that there are locations in Georgetown that would be well suited to house these offices and urge each of you to assist in overturning this decision."

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