SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 2320

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, FEBRUARY 23, 1994

Brief Description:  Reviewing sewerage or disposal systems.

SPONSORS: Representatives Holm, Horn, Rust and Cothern; by request of Department of Ecology

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Deccio, McCaslin, Moore, Morton, Sutherland and Talmadge.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786‑7708)

Hearing Dates: February 16, 1994; February 23, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Current state law requires the Department of Ecology to review all plans and specifications relating to the construction or modification of sewage and related systems.  Based on this statutory authority, the department reviews plans and specifications for the following sewage system projects: systems for collecting, transferring, treating and disposing of sewage; construction of new sewage treatment plants; improvements and upgrades to existing sewage treatment plants; new sewer lines and extensions to existing lines; outfalls for sanitary sewers; on-site septic systems with a capacity of more than 14,500 gallons; sewage pumping stations; combined sewer overflow reduction facilities; and construction and improvement of stormwater facilities.

The Department of Ecology administers the centennial clean water account which, in part, provides local governments with funds to construct municipal sewage systems.  The 1993 capital budget included a provision that directed the department to streamline its grants and loan programs to reduce administrative costs.  In response to this legislative directive, the department created a grants streamlining team consisting of representatives from several agency programs and two local government stakeholders.  The team met throughout the year and proposed several regulatory changes and one legislative change.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Ecology is authorized to delegate authority to local governments for the review and approval of engineering reports and other documents.  The delegation authority applies only to the construction or modification of sewer systems and industrial pretreatment systems.  A local government may be delegated authority to review and approve engineering reports if it meets criteria established by the department.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Delegating authority to local governments will reduce administrative costs incurred by local governments and the Department of Ecology.  It will also save time and make the review process more efficient.  Many local governments are capable of reviewing and approving technical engineering documents.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  PRO:  Linda Crerar, Mike Gardner, Department of Ecology; Kathleen Collins, Association of WA Cities; Paul Parker, WA State Association of Counties