H-0923.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1963
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State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Rasmussen, Rayburn, Grant, McLean, Dorn and Roland.
Read first time February 15, 1991. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Development.
AN ACT Relating to the department of agriculture; and adding a new section to chapter 43.23 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 43.23 RCW to read as follows:
A governmental entity operating a municipal sewage treatment facility, the sludge from which is applied to lands outside of an incorporated area of the state, shall notify the department of agriculture regarding the application. The notice shall be on a form prescribed by the department. The department may conduct such investigations of such applications and the consequences of such applications as the director determines is necessary to protect the environment or the health or welfare of the citizens of the state. Such investigations may include, but are not limited to including, collecting and analyzing the content of soil, water, and air samples.
The cost of conducting such investigations and any administrative costs directly related to such investigations shall be borne by the governmental entity operating the treatment facility which is the source of the sludge. The department may require payment of such costs on a monthly or other basis while the investigations are being conducted. Any such governmental entity which fails to make such a payment within thirty days of the date by which the department has indicated that it is due, shall cease to apply or permit others to apply the sludge to any lands outside of incorporated areas in the state. Such applications may resume only after payments to the department are current.