S-4522

AN ACT Relating to the reclamation, closure, or decommissioning of a uranium or thorium mill or tailings facility; and amending RCW 70.121.030.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 70.121.030 and 1979 ex.s. c 110 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) Any person who proposes to operate a uranium or thorium mill within the state of Washington after January 1, 1980, shall obtain a license from the department to mill thorium and uranium. The period of the license shall be determined by the secretary and shall be initially valid for not more than two years and renewable thereafter for periods of not more than five years. No license may be granted unless:

(a) The owner or operator of the mill submits to the department a plan for reclamation and disposal of tailings and for decommissioning the site that conforms to the criteria and standards then in effect for the protection of the public safety and health; and

(b) The owner of the mill agrees to transfer or revert to the appropriate state or federal agency upon termination of the license all lands, buildings, and grounds, and any interests therein, necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter except where the lands are held in trust for or are owned by any Indian tribe.

(2) Any person operating a uranium or thorium mill on January 1, 1980, shall, at the time of application for renewal of his license to mill thorium or uranium, comply with the following conditions for continued operation of the mill:

(a) The owner or operator of the mill shall submit to the department a plan for reclamation and disposal of tailings and for decommissioning the site that conforms to the criteria and standards then in effect for the protection of the public safety and health; and

(b) The owner of the mill shall agree to transfer or revert to the appropriate state or federal agency upon termination of the license all lands, buildings, and grounds, and any interests therein, necessary to fulfill the purposes of this chapter except where the lands are held in trust for or are owned by any Indian tribe.

(3) The department shall, after public notice and opportunity for written comment, hold a public hearing to consider the adequacy of the proposed plan to protect the safety and health of the public required by subsections (1) and (2) of this section. The proceedings shall be recorded and transcribed. The public hearing shall provide the opportunity for cross-examination by both the department and the person proposing the plan required under this section. The department shall make a written determination as to the licensing of the mill which is based upon the findings included in the determination and upon the evidence presented during the public comment period. The determination is subject to judicial review. If a declaration of nonsignificance is issued for a license renewal application under rules adopted under chapter 43.21C RCW, the public hearing is not required.

(4) The department shall set a schedule of license and amendment fees predicated on the cost of reviewing the license application and of monitoring for compliance with the conditions of the license. A permit for construction of a uranium or thorium mill may be granted by the secretary prior to licensing.

(5) The department shall not approve a license or the renewal of a license for a uranium or thorium mine, mill, or tailings facility, if the license is based on a reclamation, closure, or decommissioning that involves the receipt, storage, permanent impoundment, or disposal of radioactive materials, including uranium or thorium mill tailings and byproduct material, at a licensed site or proposed licensed site as defined by rule of the department, except where the radioactive materials proposed for receipt, storage, permanent impoundment, or disposal, including uranium or thorium mill tailings and byproduct material, is produced at a mine associated with, and under the same operator or ownership as, the licensed site or proposed licensed site.