Knox County Commission should reject the amended stormwater ordinance on second reading and instead adopt the version endorsed by their engineering department. Here is why:

• The concrete pipe requirement is a minor issue blown out of proportion. This requirement applies only when the pipe will become public property, which means the impact is limited. Pretending it will bankrupt developers or send home prices skyrocketing is plainly dishonest. Likewise, the moaning over giving Sherman Dixie a monopoly is dishonest. Shipping pipe from London, Ky., the nearest competitor, can not be much more expensive than shipping from Chattanooga, and there is nothing stopping a competitor from setting up shop closer if the market will support them.
  The amendment allowing weaker materials is a power play by developers, and rejecting the amendment would be both a goodwill gesture to the city and a signal to voters that commission is not wholly subservient to developer interests.
  Properly installed, plastic or metal pipes are embedded inside a support matrix. Pouring such a matrix around a pipe is difficult and failure-prone, but it is considerably cheaper if you don't much care about doing it right.
• Enforcement is a major issue that was overlooked. Even with added staff, county engineers are too overworked to inspect every site, so self regulation by conscientious builders and developers remains the best safeguard against poor practices and water quality violations. County engineers rarely impose fines, and a $50 minimum is tacit approval from commission for slovenly and well connected developers to disregard clean-water regulations. A $1000 fine makes self regulation more likely and could help fund the engineering staff.
• This ordinance is not being passed to satisfy the city. Knox County must pass an ordinance that complies with federal law to attain their NPDES Phase II permit. Technically they should have had the new ordinance in place in July, though you could argue they have until next year to comply. If the adopted ordinance does not satisfy the Clean Water Act, the county becomes liable to lawsuits not just from the city, but from citizens. The language in the new ordinance about endangered species is required to be there by federal law in force since 1972. This is the language Lumpy Lambert was reacting to when he chided "radical environmentalists." Obviously he is a poor source for thoughtful and compliant amendments.

  The city should harbor no illusions that this activity six years after the Urban Growth Boundary Agreement obligated the county to adopt new stormwater regulations "as strict as" those of the city is being done for its benefit. It is being done for the federal government. City attorneys and officials need to be aware of this additional obligation so they do not perceive goodwill where it has been so sparse for so long.

• The county ordinance was created through a long process that involved input and discussions among diverse interests. Developers were well represented throughout that process. By attempting to amend the ordinance at the last minute through Commissioner Lambert, they betrayed that process and made themselves untrustworthy. Consequently, enforcement should be a much greater concern since the builders and developers have already shown they are willing to subvert the community.
• Beaver Creek Watershed Association is an innovative and successful coalition of citizens, businesses and government united around water quality issues. They have received a number of six-figure grants as well as state and federal accolades, and they are used as a template for similar efforts and organizations elsewhere. The Beaver Creek watershed significantly overlaps with the district of Commissioners Lambert and Cawood. Commissioner Lambert's speech at the last commission meeting significantly distanced him from this group and likely insulted many of his constituents. His re-election should be in jeopardy, and Commissioner Cawood should be ashamed to have silently joined him in turning away from a group that has brought pride to their community.
• Commissioner Hammond asked several pertinent questions during the meeting. Bruce Wuethrich tried to respond diplomatically and may have kept Hammond from voting for the engineering department recommendations by being too wishy-washy. Hammond should follow his instincts and vote with his engineers rather than the deferential face Wuethrich put on at the meeting. Hammond has clearly done his homework, and he should discuss this issue with Commissioner Norman and consider taking a leadership role in opposing Lambert.

Commissioners Jordan, Strickland, Harmon, Harmon, Leuthold, Leuthold, Norman, Huddleston and Ballard made the right vote and should be thanked by their constituents and encouraged to persuade one of the wayward commissioners to join them. Ballard and Huddleston deserve extra acknowledgment because their district will be facing more than its share of water quality problems in coming years as the sewer line for the industrial park halfway in the back door gets built. The commission disregarded their opposition to that project despite the long-standing tradition of deferring to the representatives of the impacted district, and it is good to see the two Eighth District commissioners sticking to their principles and their constituents.

Commissioner Norman deserves additional thanks for his plain and impassioned speech in support of clean water and community health.