HB 2844-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 2/12/02)

     Finds that the authority for the department of ecology to enter into environmental excellence program agreements terminates June 30, 2002.  Finds that this date should be extended in order to continue the environmental excellence program and to provide time for the legislature to evaluate and act on any necessary changes to the program that will encourage increased participation.

     Declares that citizens of the state of Washington have the following rights when asking for a permit, license, or permission to engage in a lawful activity: (1) The right to a date in time for a decision on permits;

     (2) The right to a defined amount of information required to award a permit by a permitting authority before any application for permits can be accepted; and

     (3) The right to know the maximum amount of costs in fees, studies, or public processes that will be incurred by the permit applicant.

     Provides that, in addition to any termination provisions contained in an environmental excellence program agreement, a director of an agency may terminate an environmental excellence program agreement in whole or in part with respect to a legal requirement administered by that agency, if the director finds:  (1) That after notice and a reasonable opportunity to cure, the covered facility is in violation of a material requirement of the agreement;

     (2) that the facility has repeatedly violated any requirements of the agreement;

     (3) that the operation of the facility under the agreement has caused endangerment to public health or the environment that cannot be remedied by modification of the agreement; or

     (4) that the facility has failed to make substantial progress in achieving the voluntary goals identified under RCW 43.21K.050(4), and these goals are material to the overall objectives of the agreement.