HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESHB 1391

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, S. Wilson, Fox, Zellinsky, J. Williams, P. King, May, Sanders, Unsoeld, Spanel and Ferguson)

Providing oil dump and holding tank pump stations information to boaters.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

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

House Staff:Karl Herzog (786-7271)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 11, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Boating activity contributes pollution to the state's waterways from sewage and petroleum products.  Illegal sewage discharges are of particular importance because of their effect on shellfish beds. Some commercial shellfish beds near areas of heavy boating activity have been closed or decertified due to elevated measurements of fecal coliform bacteria.

The federal government regulates sewer discharges from boats and ships under the Clean Water Act.  Direct discharge of raw sewage is illegal.  Sewage must be treated by an approved marine sanitation device before discharge, or held in a holding tank to be pumped ashore.  The Coast Guard is responsible for enforcement of these regulations, though actual enforcement is difficult. State boat licensing regulations require annual boat registration.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Licensing must provide boat owners information on the location of marine oil recycling tanks and holding tank pumping stations.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Mary Magaret Haugen; Rhonda Hunter, Department of Ecology; Mike Reed, Washington State Parks; Nancy Kelly, Department of Licensing.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill provides an excellent method of providing needed information to boaters.  If boaters are required to hold and pump sewage they should know how to properly dispose of it and where it can be pumped.  Boaters should also be informed of how to recycle used oil.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.