HOUSE BILL REPORT

SB 5253

BYSenators Metcalf, Saling, Stratton and West

Protecting federally designated sole source aquifers.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; D. Sommers, Ranking Republican Member; Brekke, G. Fisher, Phillips, Pruitt, Schoon, Sprenkle, Van Luven and Walker.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Fraser.

House Staff:Bonnie Austin (786-7107)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS MARCH 28, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act authorizes the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to designate Sole Source Aquifer Protection Areas.  This designation may occur if an aquifer is the sole or principal drinking water source for an area and if contamination of the aquifer would create a significant hazard to public health.

Designation as a Sole Source Aquifer Protection Area qualifies the area for participation in the federal Sole Source Aquifer Demonstration Program.  Under this program, federal funds are available to cover up to 50 percent of the costs necessary to develop a comprehensive management plan to protect the aquifer.

Seven areas in Washington have received designation as federal Sole Source Aquifer Protection Areas:  (1) Spokane Valley; (2) Camano Island; (3) Whidbey Island; (4) Lewiston Valley; (5) Cedar Valley (Renton); (6) Cross Valley (Snohomish County); and (7) Newberg (Snohomish County).

The state Water Resources Act of 1971 directs state and local agencies to give priority to sole source aquifers when administering programs relating to waste disposal and other practices that may impact water quality.

SUMMARY:

State and local agencies are to give the highest priority to the protection of federally designated sole source aquifers, as well as other ground waters which are the sole source of drinking water, when administering waste disposal and other practices that may impact water quality.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Bob Monn, Department of Ecology.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This bill clarifies that federally designated sole source aquifers are to receive consideration along with other aquifers. This does not create a separate state designation process.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.