S-1392.1 _______________________________________________
SENATE BILL 5724
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Senators Sutherland, Hayner and Owen.
Read first time February 18, 1991. Referred to Committee on Environment & Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to water pollution control of chlorinated organic compound emissions; adding a new section to chapter 90.48 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that scientifically valid and technically achievable effluent limitations on the pulp and paper industry are necessary for the protection of the waters of the state of Washington. In order to achieve this objective, the department shall:
(a) Prepare and submit to the legislature a detailed study of the impacts of chlorinated organic compound emissions on the state's environment from sources within the state. The study shall include an analysis of possible effluent limitation levels. For each effluent limitation level identified, a detailed analysis of the limitation's economic costs of compliance and environmental benefits shall be provided. In the study, the department shall designate a recommended effluent limitation level for chlorinated organic compounds;
(b) Submit the study to the legislature by December 31, 1991; and
(c) Issue no permit establishing limits for the discharge of chlorinated organic compounds by a pulp and paper mill under RCW 90.48.160 or 90.48.260 until the legislature has reviewed and made recommendations based on the study required by (a) of this subsection.
(2) The department is authorized to utilize the resources of the state's universities for appropriate elements of the study and the department shall consult with the Puget Sound water quality authority and the Columbia river bi-state commission on the subject matter of the study.
(3) In the event that the United States environmental protection agency promulgates national effluent guidelines for pulp and paper mills limiting emissions of chlorinated organics before the department submits its report to the legislature, then the department may issue permits containing chlorinated organics emissions limitations consistent with the national guidelines.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 90.48 RCW to read as follows:
(1) There is hereby created a joint select committee on water quality to oversee and review the department's study. The committee shall consist of ten voting members appointed jointly by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. The speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate may each appoint nonvoting members to participate in the meetings of the joint select committee. The voting membership shall be equally divided between each major political caucus.
(2) The senate committee services and the office of program research shall provide staff support for the committee or another source of staff support may be used if the cochairs of the joint select committee mutually agreed to do so. The cochairs shall be designated by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.
(3) The purpose of the joint select committee is to review, evaluate, and conduct public hearings on the report of the department on chlorinated organic compounds submitted to the legislature.
(4) The joint select committee shall monitor actions taken by the department to implement the recommendations made in the study and shall report to the legislature on any changes in the emissions of chlorinated organic compounds which it deems appropriate.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.