Septic proposals get crowd's attention (Rural Californians, watch out!)

As expected, the Fresno Unified School District board room was jammed last Thursday as the State Water Resources Control Board conducted a workshop/hearing on proposed septic and well system regulations. The room holds 149 people and the crowd was so big, folks were sitting in the aisles and standing against the wall. Speaker after speaker -- including three Madera County officials -- criticized either the proposals or the process. The crowd was at times hostile to the Water Board representatives, who did a good job of keeping their cool. At other times, speakers elicited roars of laughter or shouts of...