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EXHIBIT A Findings of Fact In Support of Ordinance 190 A. Lakes in Dunes City provide essential benefits to the residents of Dunes City, including a source of drinking water; B. Lakes in Dunes City are showing signs of accelerating eutrophication. Both Woahink and Siltcoos Lakes have experienced episodes of rapid phytoplankton population growth (algae blooms) in recent years; C. The residents of Dunes City depend on the use of onsite wastewater treatment systems to dispose of household liquid waste. Conventional onsite wastewater treatment systems are not designed to remove phosphorus. Effluent from these systems contains phosphorus that migrates into ground water and into lakes in Dunes City; D. Use of phosphate fertilizer contributes to the amount of phosphorus in lakes in Dunes City; E. The use of high phosphate detergents makes a substantial contribution to the overall phosphorus levels of onsite wastewater treatment system effluent. Low phosphate detergents perform just as well as high phosphate detergents at little additional cost;
F.
If no action were taken, further release of
phosphorus into lakes in Dunes City G. The Background Information Document (protecting critical water resources in Dunes City, Oregon) submitted by the Moratorium Support Committee to the Dunes City Council on September 14, 2006, is hereby incorporated by reference as an aid in the implementation of this ordinance; H. The use of fertilizers and pesticides within the riparian zones and wetlands of the city disrupts their vital function of providing a natural system of filtration of pollutants as well as a buffer for our water bodies; I. Many pesticides, which include herbicides and insecticides, are generally prohibited from use within 20 yards of the lake and salmon-bearing stream waters of the city by order of the U.S. District Court. Washington Toxic Coalition vs EPA, C01–0132 (W.D. WA, January 22, 2004) |