Hazardous Waste. 
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) is the state agency responsible for the prevention and cleanup of toxic leaks and spills that threaten the health of people and the environment.  Toxic and hazardous materials include arsenic, petroleum, dioxins, and other substances that contaminate soil and water.

Model Toxics Control Act. 

The Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA), enacted by voters in 1989, established Washington State's environmental cleanup law.  The MTCA directs the investigation, cleanup, and prevention of sites that are contaminated by hazardous substances.  The MTCA is funded through a tax on hazardous substances, cost recovery from potentially liable persons, penalties under the MTCA law, and other funding authorized by the Legislature for cleanup projects. 

Remedial Action Grants and Loans. 
Ecology administers the Remedial Action Grant and Loan program to provide grants and loans to local governments for remedial actions, including planning for the reuse of contaminated properties.  Every even-numbered year, Ecology consults with local governments to understand the 10-year cost of critical cleanup projects in Washington.  The estimates inform Ecology's biennial budget request to the Governor and Legislature.  Local governments must obtain all required permits for the remedial action within one year of the effective date of the enacted budget to receive a grant or loan.

The requirement that local governments must obtain all required permits for a remedial action within one year of the effective date of the enacted budget to receive grants or loans for a remedial action is removed.