WSR 97-10-093
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
[Filed May 7, 1997, 10:53 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: Revise chapter 173-160 WAC, Minimum standards for construction and maintenance of wells and chapter 173-162 WAC, Rules and regulations governing the regulation and licensing of well contractors and operators.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 18.104 RCW, Water Well Construction Act (1971).
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Ecology has been directed by the legislature to revise the existing well construction and licensing rules. The revisions will integrate changes to chapter 18.104 RCW into the rules, improve organization, address driller's concerns, and enhance public health and safety.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington State Department of Health, through their wellhead protection program, does regulate well siting. The Department of Health's wellhead protection program manager is a member of the Technical Advisory Group. This group will assist ecology in the revision of these rules.
Process for Developing New Rule: Negotiated rule making.
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication. Interested parties can participate through a series of workshops and hearings to be held this spring and fall, through written inquiries to the department, and by attending the Technical Advisory Group meeting. The contact person for ecology is Richard Szymarek, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone (360) 407-6648, FAX (360) 407-7162.
April 23, 1997
Linda G. Crerar
Assistant Director
Water and Shorelands