WSR 09-12-097

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY


[ Order 09-06 -- Filed June 2, 2009, 10:23 a.m. ]

     Subject of Possible Rule Making: Rule amendment for chapter 173-224 WAC, Wastewater discharge permit fees.

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 90.48.465 Water pollution control.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: To increase fees for wastewater and stormwater general permit holders by 4.61% (the fiscal growth factor projection) for state fiscal year 2010 as authorized by the state legislature. Ecology is also proposing to increase fees to the fiscal growth factor limits for all domestic wastewater permit holders by 5.20% for FY2010 and 4.61% for FY2011. Moneys received fund ecology's management of the wastewater and stormwater permit program. Ecology is also proposing to eliminate prorating fees to the fiscal quarter for permits terminated during the fiscal year.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

     Process for Developing New Rule: Amend an existing rule. Hold public workshops/hearings around the state. Direct mailings to those impacted by the rule change. Information will be posted on the ecology wastewater and stormwater permit fee web page http[:]//www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/permit_fees/index.htm.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Bev Poston, Fee Administrator, Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, e-mail Bpos461@ecy.wa.gov, phone (360) 407-6425, or fax (360) 407-7151.

June 1, 2009

Kelly Susewind, P.E., P.G.

Water Quality Program Manager

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