Pitkin County - Environmental Health and Natural Resources

Annual OWTS Meeting News Letter more information...

Our Purpose:
The Environmental Health & Natural Resources Department develops and collaborates on local, regional, state and federal initiatives to protect the community’s water and other environmental resources. The team structures and implements programs to enhance public health in Pitkin County, as well as the quality of its environment.

Services:

Onsite Wastewater Treatment: EH/NR is responsible for the review, permitting, and final inspection of onsite wastewater treatment systems ("OWTSs"). Technical assistance is provided for property owners whose systems have failed and for property owners designing their own systems (where engineering is not required). An annual meeting is held for contractors, engineers, architects, and other interested parties to update them on changing rules, regulations, and technologies.
Consumer Protection Program: The Department inspects retail food service establishments, child care facilities and schools under a contract with the Consumer Protection Division of the Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment. Plan reviews are required for any new or remodeled retail food establishments. Food borne illness complaints are investigated in conjunction with Community Health Services. Special events serving food and Non-Community Groundwater Systems are also inspected by the Department.
Disease Prevention & Other Environmental Health Concerns: The Environmental Health professionals in the Department work to educate the public about emerging diseases, such as West Nile Virus. Air quality issues and noise complaints are handled by the Department, which also fields questions from the public on issues such as mold, asbestos, and radon.
Water Quality & Quantity: The Department is responsible for coordination of County programs related to water resources.

Environmental Health & Natural Resources administers Floodplain Development Permits and coordinates the County's participation in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. The Department is authorized to conduct inspections under the State's Stormwater Management Program and works to educate developers about the State's requirements. As a member of Community Development, the Department works on water resource planning and management issues under the Land Use Code. Staff is available to work with the County Attorney's Office and Open Space & Trails to address issues related to maintenance of the County's water rights, including planning for their continued beneficial use.

Working with other entities involved in Western water issues, the Environmental Health & Natural Resources Department monitors proposed Federal and State legislation and other activity on water issues affecting the County and presents recommendations for action to the Board of County Commissioners, as appropriate. The Department's staff is also involved in the development and amendment of regulations to address issues associated with oil and gas exploration and production in Western Colorado.

The Department is engaged in public education on water issues. Staff is also available to work with local and regional entities, such as the Roaring Fork Conservancy, on grant proposals for stream restoration and other work beneficial to the County. The Department's Natural Resource professionals are active in the Roaring Fork Watershed planning effort.
Smuggler Superfund Site: Compliance with the Consent Decree and implementation of the County's Institutional Controls on the Smuggler Superfund site are also the responsibility of the Environmental Health & Natural Resources Department. Staff conducts site visits to monitor construction activity for compliance. The Department prepares and submits the biannual EPA reports, requests EPA "clean letters" for property owners that have performed adequate site mitigation, works with property owners and other City and County Departments on site remediation issues, and is responsible for updating and maintaining the County's official Smuggler Superfund Site Map.
Land Use Reviews: Environmental Health & Natural Resources staff review Land Use and Special Event/Temporary Commercial Use applications. In connection with Land Use reviews, the Department provides comments on drinking water supply, wastewater treatment, potential riparian/wetlands, water, and air quality impacts.