King County’s public health department announced last week that it will not pursue its onsite septic system oversight program and fee proposal that it had recently shared in several communities, including Vashon.

The proposal would have required septic system owners throughout King County to pay between $23 and $37 annually to fund an operations and maintenance program for septic systems.

The effort, which county public health officials undertook to comply with state law, drew an outpouring of negative comments from the public.

Two weeks ago, between 50 and 60 people attended the meeting on Vashon, and nearly 600 people showed up in Maple Valley, where most objected to the proposal. A crowd also turned out for a meeting Tuesday, June 28, in Fall City, where The Seattle Times reported that Patty Hayes, the director of Public Health-Seattle & King County, announced the department was tabling the plan.

The department posted a a statement about the issue on its website last week and declined to comment further.

“We have heard from many constituents that they do not support the fee. However, there are state and local laws that require Public Health oversight of onsite septic systems. With this in mind, we will continue to work with the community and elected officials to develop a revenue-backed program that has the support of septic system owners and that protects human health and the environment,” it reads.