5079-S AMH AGEC H2946.2

SSB 5079 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

    Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

    "NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The purpose of this act is to encourage environmental permit program efficiency and pollution prevention through increased private sector participation in the preparation of wastewater discharge permits currently administered by the department of ecology.  The legislature recognizes that pollution prevention can often be accomplished through cooperative partnerships between government and industry and through voluntary changes in industrial production methods.  By using expertise available in the private sector, the permit preparation option provided in this act is intended to reduce the time required to issue wastewater discharge permits and better protect the water quality of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 90.48 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Within fifteen days of receipt of an application for the issuance of a new permit or modification of an existing permit under RCW 90.48.160 or 90.48.260, the department shall determine whether it is likely that the permit will be processed within one hundred eighty days.  If the department determines that a permit will not be processed within one hundred eighty days, the applicant shall be notified.  Upon receipt of this notification, an applicant may choose to proceed with the draft permit preparation option in subsection (2) of this section.

    (2) Any person applying for the issuance of a new permit or modification of an existing permit under RCW 90.48.160 or 90.48.260 may submit an application with a draft permit and fact sheet if the department cannot process the permit within the timeline provided in subsection (1) of this section.

    (3) The department shall approve or deny the permit proposal within forty-five days of submission if no public hearing is required, or within ninety days of submission if a public hearing is required.  The department or the applicant may negotiate a permit proposal if both parties agree to a timeline.  The department retains full authority under this chapter to approve, modify, or disapprove any draft permit or fact sheet submitted under this section.

    (4) The department shall make available guidelines specifying the elements of a complete draft permit and fact sheet."

    Correct the title.

                            --- END ---