LA PINE, OR -- South County is getting closer to allowing more development in the La Pine area.  The Department of Environmental Quality has been meeting with local residents to discuss how to protect the groundwater from contamination from sewers.  Deschutes County Commissioner Tony DeBone says the DEQ and Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development provided an update, recently.  "We have proposed findings to put a package together that will allow sewers in rural communities in south county, where highly draining volcanic soil and shallow water levels make it susceptible to nitrate loading," DeBone tells KBND News.  

This Goal 11 exception for southern Deschutes County would allow sewer systems in the area for several years, whil a moratorium is placed on other efforts to reduce nitrate.  The next step is to offer public hearings in the coming months. DeBone expects a formal Goal 11 Exception application will be submitted by spring.