Why are wastewater issues preventing the issue of new land use permits for development?

We are running up against the limit of how much treated wastewater the City can discharge, which is why the City is moving forward with this comprehensive approach. These discharge limits are determined by the Three Basin Rule. If we exceed that limit, we will be fined by the federal and state governments.  Under the federal Consent Decree, we are required to implement a permanent solution and are limited in issuing new land use permits for housing and businesses until we do. Read about the current development moratorium here.