Waterbody Board Close to Releasing Draft

The Mat-Su Borough Waterbody Setback Advisory Board is making progress on a draft ordinance to ultimately protect water quality. The Assembly will vote next week on a resolution to extend the Board’s timeline by six months so they may continue their work. 

According to Borough Planning and Land Use Director Alex Strawn, the Board is working through changes recommended by its members. Each suggestion is discussed and voted on.

Community councils will get a chance to weigh in once the Board finishes a draft. The Board will incorporate comments from the Councils and then submit a final draft to the Assembly.

So far, the Board agreed to provide a pathway to allow homes built between 1987 and present to become legal. Those homes must be at least 45 feet from the waterbody. And they would still require engineering review and a permit. The Board agrees that 75 feet will be the setback requirement without engineering and permits.

The Board also agreed that fuel tanks within 75 feet will require some specific protections to prevent spillage. Tanks must not be gravity-fed or they must have secondary containment. This section would apply to existing and new tanks.

 Pesticides and fertilizers would be limited to only areas 25 feet away from the waterbody. And animal facilities must be at least 100 feet away.

The Board expects to meet again September 4th to continue their review. Strawn says Community Councils may have an opportunity to review the draft ordinance as early as October.