WSR 25-01-038
PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY
DEPARTMENT OF ECOLOGY
[Order 24-12—Filed December 10, 2024, 7:16 a.m.]
Subject of Possible Rule Making: The department of ecology (ecology) is considering amendments to sections under chapter 173-350 WAC. This rule making will focus on amendments and new language related to organic materials management. These amendments will consider standards to address contamination in organic waste and finished products such as compost. Ecology is also considering amendments that cover additional organic materials management practices.
Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW
70A.205.275 Rules—Department "deferring" to other permits
—Application of section, and
70A.205.210 Duties of department
—State solid waste management plan
—Assistance—Coordination
—Tire recycling.
Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Ecology must amend its organic materials management regulations to address contamination in incoming food waste feedstocks and finished products at organic materials processing facilities, as required by RCW
70A.205.540. We will address current inequities and existing challenges in meeting requirements.
Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: The Washington department of agriculture, which has authority under RCW
15.135.080 to adopt rules that regulate agriculture in Washington. The United States Environmental Protection Agency, which has authority to ensure clean air, water, and land.
Process for Developing New Rule: Ecology will follow the standard process for adopting rules under the Administrative Procedure Act (chapter
34.05 RCW).
Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Chris Fredley, Department of Ecology, Solid Waste Management Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, phone 564-233-1615, Washington relay service or TTY call 711 or 877-833-6341, email organicsrule@ecy.wa.gov, website https://ecology.wa.gov/regulations-permits/laws-rules-rulemaking/rulemaking/wac-173-350-dec24.
December 9, 2024
Peter Lyon
Solid Waste Management Program Manager