HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1325

BYRepresentatives Rust, Walker and Unsoeld; by request of Department of Ecology

Changing provisions relating to the state water pollution control agency's authority.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Brekke, Ferguson, Jesernig, Lux, May, Pruitt, Schoon, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Unsoeld and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Gulick (786-7116)

AS PASSED HOUSE JANUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1983 the Department of Ecology was given authority to administer portions of the federal Clean Water Act.  Congress amended the Clean Water Act in 1987.  The amendments included the enactment of a nonpoint pollution grant program and a national estuary program.  The Department of Ecology does not have specific authority to administer the programs affected by the 1987 amendments.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology is given authority to participate in programs related to the federal Clean Water Act as it existed on February 4, 1987.  In implementing the National Estuary Program, the department is directed to participate jointly with the Puget Sound Water Quality Authority.

EFFECT OF SENATE AMENDMENT(S):  By January 1, 1989, the Department of Social and Health Services must propose standards for the repair of existing, failing on-site sewage disposal systems at single-family residences adjacent to marine waters.  The State Board of Health must adopt these standards unless modification or rejection is necessary to protect public health.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 18, 1988.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Carol Jolly, Department of Ecology.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill is necessary for the Department of Ecology and other state agencies to continue to administer portions of federal law.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.

VOTE ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      Yeas 93; Absent 1; Excused 4

Absent:     Representative Locke

Excused:    Representatives Belcher, Bumgarner, Smith C, Taylor