BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to operating water pollution prevention, control, and reduction programs through local government systems of sewerage; amending RCW 35.67.010, 35.67.020, 35.92.020, 36.94.010, 36.94.020, 36.94.140, 54.16.230, 56.08.020, 56.16.090, 57.08.065, and 90.72.040; reenacting and amending RCW 56.08.010; creating new sections; and providing an effective date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the purpose of this act to promote efficiency in delivering water quality programs and to assist local governments in promoting and achieving the prevention of water pollution through service-oriented utilities.

Sec. 2. RCW 35.67.010 and 1965 c 110 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

A "system of sewerage" means and may include((s)) any or all of the following:

(1) Sanitary sewage ((~~disposal sewers~~)) collection, treatment, and/or disposal facilities and programs, including without limitation on-site or off-site sanitary sewerage facilities such as approved septic tanks or septic tank systems, on-site sanitary sewerage systems, inspection programs and maintenance programs for public or private on-site systems, or any other means of sewage treatment and disposal approved by the city;

(2) Combined sanitary sewage disposal and storm or surface water ((~~sewers~~)) drains and facilities;

(3) Storm or surface water ((~~sewers~~)) drains and facilities;

(4) Outfalls for storm drainage or sanitary sewage and works, plants, and facilities for storm drainage or sanitary sewage treatment and disposal, ((or)) and rights and interests in property relating to the system;

(5) Combined water and sewerage systems;

(6) Facilities and programs for the protection of waters of the state as defined by RCW 90.48.020 from pollution, including but not limited to monitoring water quality; monitoring point and nonpoint sources of pollution; preventing, removing, or reducing water pollution; water quality education and public involvement programs; and agricultural, industrial, and commercial management practices programs to prevent and reduce water pollution;

(7) Public restroom and sanitary facilities; and

(8) Any combination of or part of any or all of such facilities.

The words "public utility" when used in this chapter shall have the same meaning as the words "system of sewerage."

Sec. 3. RCW 35.67.020 and 1991 c 347 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:

Every city and town may construct, condemn and purchase, acquire, add to, implement, maintain, conduct, and operate systems of sewerage and systems and plants for refuse collection and disposal together with additions, extensions, and betterments thereto, within and without its limits, with full jurisdiction and authority to manage, regulate, and control them and to fix, alter, regulate, and control the rates and charges for the use thereof: PROVIDED, That the rates charged must be uniform for the same class of customers or service.

In classifying customers served or service, facilities, and programs furnished by such system of sewerage, the city or town legislative body may in its discretion consider any or all of the following factors: The difference in cost of service, facilities, and programs to the various customers; the location of the various customers within and without the city or town; the difference in cost of maintenance, operation, implementation, repair, and replacement of the various parts of the system; the different character of the service, facilities, and programs furnished various customers; the quantity and quality of the sewage delivered and the time of its delivery; the achievement of water conservation goals and the discouragement of wasteful water use practices; capital contributions made to the system, including but not limited to, assessments; and any other matters which present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction.

A city or town may adjust or delay rates and charges and may provide other assistance to aid low-income persons in participating in programs and in complying with regulations imposed in connection with this chapter.

Under this chapter, any requirements for pumping of an on-site septic system should be based, among other things, on actual measurement of accumulation of sludge and scum by a trained operator, trained owner's agent, or trained owner.

Sec. 4. RCW 35.92.020 and 1989 c 399 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

A city or town may construct, condemn and purchase, purchase, acquire, add to, alter, maintain, implement, and operate systems, plants, sites, or other facilities of sewerage as defined in RCW 35.67.010, or solid waste handling as defined by RCW 70.95.030, and shall have full authority to manage, regulate, operate, control, and to fix the price of service, facility, or program of those systems, plants, sites, or other facilities within and without the limits of the city or town. The rates charged shall be uniform for the same class of customers or service, facility, or program. In classifying customers served or service, facilities, and programs furnished by a system or systems of sewerage, the legislative authority of the city or town may in its discretion consider any or all of the following factors: The difference in cost of service, facilities, and programs to customers; the location of customers within and without the city or town; the difference in cost of maintenance, operation, repair, and replacement of the parts of the system; the different character of the service, facilities, and programs furnished to customers; the quantity and quality of the sewage delivered and the time of its delivery; capital contributions made to the systems, plants, sites, or other facilities, including but not limited to, assessments; and any other factors that present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction.

Sec. 5. RCW 36.94.010 and 1981 c 313 s 14 are each amended to read as follows:

As used in this chapter:

(1) A "system of sewerage" means and may include((s)) any or all of the following:

(a) Sanitary sewage collection, treatment, and/or disposal ((~~sewers and~~)) facilities and programs, including without limitation on-site or off-site sanitary sewerage facilities ((~~consisting of an~~)) such as approved septic tanks or septic tank systems, on-site sanitary sewerage systems, inspection programs and maintenance programs for private or public on-site systems, or any other means of sewage treatment and disposal approved by the county;

(b) Combined sanitary sewage disposal and storm or surface water drains and facilities;

(d) Outfalls for storm drainage or sanitary sewage and works, plants, and facilities for storm drainage or sanitary sewage treatment and disposal, and rights and interests in property relating to the system;

(e) Combined water and sewerage systems;

(f) Facilities and programs for the protection of waters of the state as defined by RCW 90.48.020 from pollution, including but not limited to monitoring water quality; monitoring point and nonpoint sources of pollution; removing or reducing water pollution; water quality education and public involvement programs; and agricultural, industrial, and commercial management practices programs to reduce water pollution;

(g) Public restroom and sanitary facilities;

(h) The facilities and programs authorized in RCW 36.94.020; and

(i) Any combination of or part of any or all of such facilities.

(2) A "system of water" means and includes:

(a) A water distribution system, including dams, reservoirs, aqueducts, plants, pumping stations, transmission and lateral distribution lines and other facilities for distribution of water;

(b) A combined water and sewerage system;

(3) A "sewerage and/or water general plan" means a general plan for a system of sewerage and/or water for the county which shall be an element of the comprehensive plan established by the county pursuant to RCW 36.70.350(6) and/or chapter 35.63 RCW, if there is such a comprehensive plan.

(a) A sewerage general plan shall include the general location and description of treatment and disposal facilities, trunk and interceptor sewers, pumping stations, monitoring and control facilities, channels, local service areas and a general description of the collection system to serve those areas, a description of on-site sanitary sewerage system inspection programs and maintenance programs, and other facilities and programs as may be required to provide a functional and implementable plan, including preliminary engineering to assure feasibility. The plan may also include a description of the regulations deemed appropriate to carrying out surface drainage plans.

(b) A water general plan shall include the general location and description of water resources to be utilized, wells, treatment facilities, transmission lines, storage reservoirs, pumping stations, and monitoring and control facilities as may be required to provide a functional and implementable plan.

(c) Water and/or sewerage general plans shall include preliminary engineering in adequate detail to assure technical feasibility and, to the extent then known, shall further discuss the methods of distributing the cost and expense of the system and shall indicate the economic feasibility of plan implementation. The plans may also specify local or lateral facilities and programs. The sewerage and/or water general plan does not mean the final engineering construction or financing plans for the system.

(4) "Municipal corporation" means and includes any city, town, metropolitan municipal corporation, any public utility district which operates and maintains a sewer or water system, any sewer, water, diking, or drainage district, any diking, drainage, and sewerage improvement district, and any irrigation district.

(5) A "private utility" means and includes all utilities, both public and private, which provide sewerage and/or water service and which are not municipal corporations within the definition of this chapter. The ownership of a private utility may be in a corporation, nonprofit or for profit, in a cooperative association, in a mutual organization, or in individuals.

(6) "Board" means one or more boards of county commissioners and/or the legislative authority of a home rule charter county.

Sec. 6. RCW 36.94.020 and 1981 c 313 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

The construction, implementation, operation, and maintenance of a system of sewerage and/or water is a county purpose. Subject to the provisions of this chapter, every county has the power, individually or in conjunction with another county or counties to adopt, provide for, accept, establish, implement, condemn, purchase, construct, add to, operate, and maintain a system or systems of sanitary and storm sewers, including outfalls, interceptors, plans, and facilities and programs necessary for sewerage treatment and disposal, and/or system or systems of water supply within all or a portion of the county: PROVIDED, That counties shall not have power to condemn sewerage and/or water systems of any municipal corporation or private utility.

Such county or counties shall have the authority to control, regulate, implement, operate, and manage such system or systems and to provide funds therefor by general obligation bonds, revenue bonds, local improvement district bonds, utility local improvement district or local improvement district assessments, and in any other lawful fiscal manner.

A county may, as part of a system of sewerage established under this chapter, provide for, finance, and operate any of the facilities and programs and may exercise any of the powers authorized for county storm water, flood control, pollution prevention, and drainage programs and activities under chapters 36.89, 86.12, 86.13, and 86.15 RCW. A county also may provide for, finance, and operate any of the facilities and programs and may exercise any of the powers authorized for aquifer protection areas under chapter 36.36 RCW; for lake management districts under chapter 36.61 RCW; for any category of diking, drainage, or sewerage district or improvement district under Title 85 RCW; and for shellfish protection districts under chapter 90.72 RCW. However, if a county by reference to any of those statutes assumes as part of its system of sewerage any powers granted to such areas or districts and not otherwise available to a county under this chapter, then (1) the procedures and restrictions applicable to those areas or districts shall apply to the county's exercise of those powers, and (2) the county may not simultaneously impose rates and charges under this chapter and under the statutes authorizing such areas or districts for substantially the same programs and services, but must instead impose uniform rates and charges consistent with RCW 36.94.140. By agreement with such an area or district that is not part of a county's system of sewerage, a county may operate that area's or district's programs or facilities, but a county may not dissolve any existing area or district except in accordance with any applicable provisions of the statute under which that area or district was created.

Sec. 7. RCW 36.94.140 and 1990 c 133 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

Every county, in the implementation and operation of a system of sewerage and/or water, shall have full jurisdiction and authority to manage, regulate and control it and to fix, alter, regulate and control the rates and charges for the service, facilities, and programs to those to whom such ((~~county~~)) service ((is)), facilities, and programs are available, and to levy charges for connection to such system. The rates for availability of service, facilities, programs, and connection charges so charged must be uniform for the same class of customers or service, facility, or program.

In classifying customers served, service furnished or made available by such system of sewerage and/or water, or the connection charges, the board may consider any or all of the following factors:

(1) The difference in cost of service to the various customers within or without the area;

(2) The difference in cost of maintenance, operation, repair and replacement of the various parts of the systems;

(3) The different character of the service, facilities, and programs furnished various customers;

(4) The quantity and quality of the sewage and/or water delivered and the time of its delivery;

(5) Capital contributions made to the system or systems, including, but not limited to, assessments;

(6) The cost of acquiring the system or portions of the system in making system improvements necessary for the public health and safety; and

(7) Any other matters which present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction.

A county may adjust or delay rates and charges and may provide other assistance to aid low-income persons in participating in programs and in complying with regulations imposed in connection with this chapter.

Such rates shall produce revenues sufficient to take care of the costs of maintenance and operation, revenue bond and warrant interest and principal amortization requirements, and all other charges necessary for the efficient and proper operation of the system.

Sec. 8. RCW 54.16.230 and 1975 1st ex.s. c 57 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

A public utility district may acquire, construct, operate, maintain, and add to sewage systems, subject to and in compliance with the county comprehensive plan, under the general powers of Title 54 RCW or through the formation of local utility districts as provided in RCW 54.16.120 through 54.16.170: PROVIDED, That prior to engaging in any sewage system works as authorized by this section, the voters of the public utility district shall first approve by majority vote a referendum proposition authorizing such district to exercise the powers set forth in this section, which proposition shall be presented at a general election. A sewage system may include any or all of the following:

(1) Sanitary sewage collection, treatment, and/or disposal facilities and programs, including without limitation on-site or off-site sewerage facilities such as approved septic tanks or septic tank systems, on-site sanitary sewerage systems, inspection programs and maintenance programs for public or private on-site systems, or any other means of sewage treatment and disposal;

(2) Facilities and programs for the protection of waters of the state as defined by RCW 90.48.020 from pollution, including but not limited to monitoring water quality; monitoring point and nonpoint sources of pollution; preventing, removing, or reducing water pollution; water quality education and public involvement programs; and agricultural, industrial, and commercial management programs to reduce water pollution; and

(3) Public restroom and sanitary facilities.

A public utility district may adjust or delay rates and charges and may provide other assistance to aid low-income persons in complying with regulations imposed in connection with this section.

Sec. 9. RCW 56.08.010 and 1989 c 389 s 2 and 1989 c 308 s 1 are each reenacted and amended to read as follows:

A sewer district may acquire by purchase or by condemnation and purchase all lands, property rights, water, and water rights, both within and without the district, necessary for its purposes. A sewer district may lease real or personal property necessary for its purposes for a term of years for which such leased property may reasonably be needed where in the opinion of the board of sewer commissioners such property may not be needed permanently or substantial savings to the district can be effected thereby. The right of eminent domain shall be exercised in the same manner and by the same procedure as provided for cities and towns, insofar as consistent with the provisions of this title, except that all assessments or reassessment rolls required to be filed by eminent domain commissioners or commissioners appointed by the court shall be prepared and filed by the district, and the duties devolving upon the city treasurer shall be imposed upon the county treasurer for the purposes hereof. A sewer district may construct, condemn and purchase, add to, maintain, and operate systems of sewers for the purpose of furnishing the district and inhabitants thereof with an adequate system of sewers for all uses and purposes, public and private, including but not limited to on-site sewage disposal facilities, approved septic tanks or approved septic tank systems, on-site sanitary sewerage systems, inspection programs and maintenance programs for private and public on-site systems, other facilities, programs, and systems for the collection, interception, treatment, and disposal of wastewater, and for the control of pollution from wastewater and for the protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of surface and underground waters, facilities for the drainage of storm or surface waters, public highways, streets, and roads with full authority to regulate the use, implementation, and operation thereof and the service rates to be charged and may construct, acquire, or own buildings and other necessary district facilities. Under this chapter, any requirements for pumping of an on-site septic system should be based, among other things, on actual measurement of accumulation of sludge and scum by a trained operator, trained owner's agent, or trained owner. Such sewage facilities may include facilities which result in combined sewage disposal, treatment, or drainage and electric generation, provided that the electricity generated thereby is a byproduct of the system of sewers. Such electricity may be used by the sewer district or sold to any entity authorized by law to distribute electricity. Such electricity is a byproduct when the electrical generation is subordinate to the primary purpose of sewage disposal, treatment, or drainage. For such purposes a district may conduct sewage throughout the district and throughout other political subdivisions within the district, and construct and lay sewer pipe along and upon public highways, roads, and streets, within and without the district, and condemn and purchase or acquire land and rights of way necessary for such sewer pipe. A district may erect sewage treatment plants, within or without the district, and may acquire by purchase or condemnation, properties or privileges necessary to be had to protect any lakes, rivers, or watercourses and also other areas of land from pollution, from its sewers or its sewage treatment plant. For the purposes of sewage facilities which include facilities which result in combined sewage disposal, treatment, or drainage and electric generation where the electric generation is a byproduct, nothing in this section may be construed to authorize a district to condemn electric generating, transmission, or distribution rights or facilities of entities authorized by law to distribute electricity, or to acquire such rights or facilities without the consent of the owner. A district may charge property owners seeking to connect to the district system of sewers, as a condition to granting the right to so connect, in addition to the cost of such connection, such reasonable connection charge as the board of commissioners shall determine to be proper in order that such property owners shall bear their equitable share of the cost of such system. For purposes of calculating a connection charge, the board of commissioners shall determine the pro rata share of the cost of existing facilities and facilities planned for construction within the next ten years and contained in an adopted comprehensive plan and other costs borne by the district which are directly attributable to the improvements required by property owners seeking to connect to the system. The cost of existing facilities shall not include those portions of the system which have been donated or which have been paid for by grants.

The connection charge may include interest charges applied from the date of construction of the sewer system until the connection, or for a period not to exceed ten years, whichever is shorter, at a rate commensurate with the rate of interest applicable to the district at the time of construction or major rehabilitation of the sewer system, or at the time of installation of the sewer lines to which the property owner is seeking to connect.

A district may permit payment of the cost of connection and the reasonable connection charge to be paid with interest in installments over a period not exceeding fifteen years. The county treasurer may charge and collect a fee of three dollars per parcel for each year for the treasurer's services. Such fees shall be a charge to be included as part of each annual installment, and shall be credited to the county current expense fund by the county treasurer. A district may compel all property owners within the sewer district located within an area served by the district system of sewers to connect their private drain and sewer systems with the district system under such penalty as the sewer commissioners shall prescribe by resolution. The district may for such purpose enter upon private property and connect the private drains or sewers with the district system and the cost thereof shall be charged against the property owner and shall be a lien upon property served.

Revenues from connection charges excluding permit fees are to be considered payments in aid of construction as defined by department of revenue rule.

Sec. 10. RCW 56.08.020 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 34 are each amended to read as follows:

The sewer commissioners before ordering any improvements hereunder or submitting to vote any proposition for incurring indebtedness shall adopt a general comprehensive plan for a system of sewers for the district. They shall investigate all portions and sections of the district and select a general comprehensive plan for a system of sewers for the district suitable and adequate for present and reasonably foreseeable future needs thereof. The general comprehensive plan shall provide for treatment plants and other methods and programs for the prevention, control, and reduction of water pollution and for the treatment and disposal of sewage and industrial and other liquid wastes now produced or which may reasonably be expected to be produced within the district and shall, for such portions of the district as may then reasonably be served, provide for the acquisition or construction and installation of laterals, trunk sewers, intercepting sewers, syphons, pumping stations, or other sewage collection facilities. The general comprehensive plan shall provide the method of distributing the cost and expense of the sewer system and programs provided therein against the district and against utility local improvement districts within the district, including any utility local improvement district lying wholly or partially within any other political subdivision included in the district; and provide whether the whole or some part of the cost and expenses shall be paid from sewer revenue bonds. The commissioners may employ such engineering and legal services as they deem necessary in carrying out the purposes hereof.

The general comprehensive plan shall be adopted by resolution and submitted to an engineer designated by the legislative authority of the county in which fifty-one percent or more of the area of the district is located, and to the director of health of the county in which the district or any portion thereof is located, and must be approved in writing by the engineer and director of health. The general comprehensive plan shall be approved, conditionally approved, or rejected by the director of health within sixty days of the plan's receipt and by the designated engineer within sixty days of the plan's receipt. However, this sixty-day time limitation may be extended by the director of health or engineer for up to an additional sixty days if sufficient time is not available to review adequately the general comprehensive plans.

Before becoming effective, the general comprehensive plan shall also be submitted to, and approved by resolution of, the legislative authority of every county within whose boundaries all or a portion of the sewer district lies. The general comprehensive plan shall be approved, conditionally approved, or rejected by each of these county legislative authorities pursuant to the criteria in RCW 56.02.060 for approving the formation, reorganization, annexation, consolidation, or merger of sewer districts, and the resolution, ordinance, or motion of the legislative body which rejects the comprehensive plan or a part thereof shall specifically state in what particular the comprehensive plan or part thereof rejected fails to meet these criteria. The general comprehensive plan shall not provide for the extension or location of facilities that are inconsistent with the requirements of RCW 36.70A.110. Nothing in this chapter shall preclude a county from rejecting a proposed plan because it is in conflict with the criteria in RCW 56.02.060. Each general comprehensive plan shall be deemed approved if the county legislative authority fails to reject or conditionally approve the plan within ninety days of submission to the county legislative authority or within thirty days of a hearing on the plan when the hearing is held within ninety days of the plan's submission to the county legislative authority. However, a county legislative authority may extend this ninety-day time limitation by up to an additional ninety days where a finding is made that ninety days is insufficient to review adequately the general comprehensive plan. In addition, the sewer commissioners and the county legislative authority may mutually agree to an extension of the deadlines in this section.

If the district includes portions or all of one or more cities or towns, the general comprehensive plan shall be submitted also to, and approved by resolution of, the governing body of such cities and towns before becoming effective. The general comprehensive plan shall be deemed approved by the city or town governing body if the city or town governing body fails to reject or conditionally approve the plan within ninety days of the plan's submission to the city or town or within thirty days of a hearing on the plan when the hearing is held within ninety days of submission to the county legislative authority. However, a city or town governing body may extend this time limitation by up to an additional ninety days where a finding is made that insufficient time exists to adequately review the general comprehensive plan within these time limitations. In addition, the sewer commissioners and the city or town governing body may mutually agree to an extension of the deadlines in this section.

Before becoming effective, any amendment to, alteration of, or addition to, a general comprehensive plan shall also be subject to such approval as if it were a new general comprehensive plan: PROVIDED, That only if the amendment, alteration, or addition, affects a particular city or town, shall the amendment, alteration, or addition be subject to approval by such particular city or town governing body.

Sec. 11. RCW 56.16.090 and 1991 c 347 s 19 are each amended to read as follows:

The sewer commissioners of any sewer district, in the event that such sewer revenue bonds are issued, shall provide for revenues by fixing rates and charges for the furnishing of sewerage disposal service, facilities, and programs to those to whom such service is available. Such rates and charges may be combined for the furnishing of more than one type of sewer service, facility, and program such as but not limited to storm or surface water and sanitary. Such rates and charges are to be fixed as deemed necessary by such sewer commissioners, so that uniform charges will be made for the same class of customer or service, facility, and program.

In classifying customers served or service, facility, or program furnished by such system of sewerage, the board of commissioners may in its discretion consider any or all of the following factors: The difference in cost ((~~of service~~)) to the various customers; the location of the various customers within and without the district; the difference in cost of maintenance, operation, repair, and replacement of the various parts of the system; the different character of the service, facility, or program furnished various customers; the quantity and quality of the sewage delivered and the time of its delivery; the achievement of water conservation goals and the discouragement of wasteful water use practices; capital contributions made to the system including but not limited to assessments; and any other matters which present a reasonable difference as a ground for distinction. Such rates are to be made on a monthly basis and shall produce revenues sufficient to take care of the costs of maintenance and operation, revenue bond and warrant interest and principal amortization requirements, and all other charges necessary for efficient and proper operation of the system.

Sec. 12. RCW 57.08.065 and 1981 c 45 s 11 are each amended to read as follows:

In addition to the powers now given water districts by law, they shall also have power to establish, maintain and operate a mutual water and ((~~sewer~~)) sewerage system or a separate ((~~sewer~~)) system of sewerage within their water district area in the same manner as provided by law for the doing thereof in connection with water supply systems.

In addition thereto, a water district constructing, maintaining ((~~and~~)), operating, and implementing a ((~~sanitary sewer~~)) system of sewerage may exercise all the powers permitted to a sewer district under Title 56 RCW, including, but not limited to, the right to compel connections to the district's system, liens for delinquent sewer connection charges or sewer service charges, and all other powers presently exercised by or which may be hereafter granted to such sewer districts: PROVIDED, That a water district may not exercise sewer district powers in any area within its boundaries which is part of an existing district which previously shall have been duly authorized to exercise sewer district powers in such area without the consent by resolution of the board of commissioners of such other district: PROVIDED FURTHER, That no water district shall proceed to exercise the powers herein granted to establish, maintain, construct and operate any ((~~sewer~~)) system of sewerage without first obtaining written approval and certification of necessity so to do from the department of ecology and department of ((~~social and~~)) health ((~~services~~)). Any comprehensive plan for a system of sewers or addition thereto or betterment thereof shall be approved by the same county and state officials as are required to approve such plans adopted by a sewer district.

A water district shall have the power to issue general obligation bonds for sewer system purposes: PROVIDED, That a proposition to authorize general obligation bonds payable from excess tax levies for sewer system purposes pursuant to chapter 56.16 RCW shall be submitted to all of the qualified voters within that part of the water district which is not contained within another existing district duly authorized to exercise sewer district powers, and the taxes to pay the principal of and interest on the bonds approved by such voters shall be levied only upon all of the taxable property within such part of the water district.

Sec. 13. RCW 90.72.040 and 1992 c 100 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The county legislative authority may create a shellfish protection district on its own motion or by submitting the question to the voters of the proposed district and obtaining the approval of a majority of those voting. The boundaries of the district shall be determined by the legislative authority. The legislative authority may create more than one district. A district may include any area or areas within the county, whether incorporated or unincorporated. Counties shall coordinate and cooperate with cities, towns, and water-related special districts within their boundaries in establishing shellfish protection districts and carrying out shellfish protection programs. Where a portion of the proposed district lies within an incorporated area, the county shall develop procedures for the participation of the city or town in the determination of the boundaries of the district and the administration of the district, including funding of the district's programs. The legislative authority of more than one county may by agreement provide for the creation of a district including areas within each of those counties. County legislative authorities are encouraged to coordinate their plans and programs to protect shellfish growing areas, especially where shellfish growing areas are located within the boundaries of more than one county. The legislative authority or authorities creating a district may abolish a shellfish protection district on its or their own motion or by submitting the question to the voters of the district and obtaining the approval of a majority of those voting.

(2) If the county legislative authority creates a shellfish protection district by its own motion, any registered voter residing within the boundaries of the shellfish protection district may file a referendum petition to repeal the ordinance that created the district. Any referendum petition to repeal the ordinance creating the shellfish protection district shall be filed with the county auditor within seven days of passage of the ordinance. Within ten days of the filing of a petition, the county auditor shall confer with the petitioner concerning form and style of the petition, issue an identification number for the petition, and write a ballot title for the measure. The ballot title shall be posed as a question so that an affirmative answer to the question and an affirmative vote on the measure results in creation of the shellfish protection district and a negative answer to the question and a negative vote on the measure results in the shellfish protection district not being created. The petitioner shall be notified of the identification number and ballot title within this ten-day period.

After this notification, the petitioner shall have thirty days in which to secure on petition forms the signatures of not less than twenty-five percent of the registered voters residing within the boundaries of the shellfish protection district and file the signed petitions with the county auditor. Each petition form shall contain the ballot title and full text of the measure to be referred. The county auditor shall verify the sufficiency of the signatures on the petitions. If sufficient valid signatures are properly submitted, the county auditor shall submit the referendum measure to the registered voters residing in the shellfish protection district in a special election no later than one hundred twenty days after the signed petition has been filed with the county auditor. The special election may be conducted by mail ballot as provided for in chapter 29.36 RCW.

(3) The county legislative authority shall not impose fees, rates, or charges for shellfish protection district programs upon properties on which fees, rates, or charges are imposed ((~~to pay for another program to eliminate or decrease contamination in storm water runoff~~)) under chapter 36.89 or 36.94 RCW for substantially the same programs and services.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. Nothing in this act may be deemed to eliminate any requirements for approval from public health agencies under applicable law in connection with the siting, design, construction, and repair of on-site septic systems.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. Section 8 of this act shall take effect January 1, 1996.