SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SHB 2848

         AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION, FEBRUARY 27, 1992

Brief Description:  Directing a pilot program to define environmental considerations in transportation planning.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Representatives Prentice, Cooper, Wood, R. Fisher, Paris, Orr, Heavey, R. Johnson, Nelson, Rust, Day, Fraser, Leonard, Basich, Jacobsen and J. Kohl)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

SENATE COMMITTEE ON TRANSPORTATION

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended. 

      Signed by Senators Patterson, Chairman; Nelson, Vice Chairman; von Reichbauer, Vice Chairman; Barr, Conner, Erwin, W. Hansen, Madsen, Oke, Sellar, Skratek, Snyder, Thorsness, and Vognild.

Staff:  Robin Rettew (786‑7306)

Hearing Dates: February 19, 1992; February 27, 1992

BACKGROUND:

Currently, detailed design efforts, environmental assessments, and public hearings for construction projects occur almost two years after the projects are initially scoped.  During the more detailed phase of project development, preliminary cost estimates must be revised to reflect more current and detailed information.  Recently, the revised environmental costs have been much higher than anticipated.

SUMMARY:

On a trial basis the Department of Transportation is given authority to perform design work, conduct public hearings, and provide comprehensive environmental assessments on significant transportation projects before appropriations are provided for actual construction.  The intent is to develop better budget estimates of the environmental costs of transportation projects.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

A joint Department of Ecology and Transportation study is authorized.  The purpose of the study is (1) to evaluate federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations that affect state highway improvements; (2) provide an analysis of the increased costs and delays directly attributable to local environmental ordinances; and (3) provide an analysis of the potential liability property owners incur for pollution on their property.

The report is due December 31, 1992 with an interim status report due June 1, 1992.

TESTIMONY FOR:

Standardization of federal, state, and local environmental laws is essential in order to provide consistent, efficient, and cost effective transportation services.  We need to figure out how much we are spending on such elements as wetlands, flood plains, stormwater, etc. and evaluate the costs and the benefits in an objective, scientific manner.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Duke Schaub, AGC of WA (pro); Dennis Ingham, DOT (pro); Randy Ray, Shipyard Env. Coalition (pro); Lou Haff; Ken Miller; Dan Hesse; Dan Rude