PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
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 all wastewater and stormwater permit holders for FY 2009 by 5.57% (the fiscal growth factor projection) as authorized by the state legislature. Ecology also will include a fee increase proposal for FY 2010 totaling 5.39%, the fiscal growth factor projection, if a fee increase is authorized by the state legislature. If an increase is not authorized, FY 09 fees will remain. Moneys received fund the wastewater/stormwater permit program. Ecology also proposes to add a definition for seafood processing to make clear what permitted activities fit into that fee category. An increase to the extreme hardship fee reduction minimum fee is also being proposed. The fee will increase by 5.57% for FY 2009 and 5.39% for FY 2010.
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 posted on the ecology 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, Department of Ecology, Wastewater/Stormwater Permit Fee Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, Bpos461@ecy.wa.gov, phone (360) 407-6425, or fax (360) 407-7151.
April 22, 2008
Kelly Susewind, P.E., P.G.
Interim Water Quality
Program Manager