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

     Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: Chapter 90.48 RCW, Water pollution control.

     Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Ecology is proposing to amend the existing rule that will increase annual permit fees for fiscal years 2007 and 2008. The fee increase will allow ecology to continue operation of the wastewater discharge permit program. RCW 90.48.465 Water pollution control, requires annual fees by [be] paid by all holders of wastewater and stormwater discharge permits.

     Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Department of Agriculture conducts inspections and enforcement actions on dairies with permit coverage. However, ecology issues the permit coverage and collects fee moneys from the various dairy operations. Moneys received are used by both ecology and agriculture.

     Process for Developing New Rule: This is an amendment to an existing rule. Ecology uses a water quality partnership to provide guidance on various issues, one of which concerns amendments to the permit fee regulation. The partnership consists of industrial permit holders, municipal permit holders, government entities, environmental groups, etc.

     Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Bev Poston, Department of Ecology, Water Quality Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, fax (360) 407-6426, or e-mail bpos461@ecy.wa.gov

October 31, 2005

Melodie A. Selby

for David C. Peeler

Water Quality Program Manager