HB 1689-S.E - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/19/03)

Declares an intent to: (1) Provide direction to the department and to municipalities regarding the development and implementation of phase two of the federal clean water act's national pollutant discharge elimination system permit program in Washington;

(2) Recognize the eastern Washington stakeholder process for developing a storm water manual and direct the department to work within that process when implementing the phase two program in eastern Washington; and

(3) Establish a stakeholder process to assist the department in identifying and addressing issues related to developing and implementing the federal national pollutant discharge elimination system permit programs in western Washington and to advise and assist the department as it drafts these permits.

Encourages local governments to cooperate with each other, share resources and coordinate actions to develop and implement programs and activities to satisfy the requirements of permits issued to them according to this act. This provision shall not be interpreted as a requirement for local governments. Nothing in this provision shall be construed to alter or create exemptions to the requirements of chapter 39.04 RCW.

Directs the department to establish a permit development advisory group for western Washington to advise and assist the department regarding permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems.

Directs the department to develop a municipal separate storm sewer system permit or permits that addresses the issues and needs of municipalities operating these systems in eastern Washington. The department shall use the advisory group it has established in eastern Washington to develop a storm water management manual to advise and assist the department regarding permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems to be issued in eastern Washington.

Provides that, during the development of permits according to this chapter, the permit development advisory group for western Washington established in this act and the eastern Washington advisory group identified in this act shall advise and assist the department to develop a menu of best management practices as required under the federal clean water act (33 U.S.C. Sec. 1251 et seq.). These groups also shall review and provide advice and assistance on the draft permits as they are developed.

Provides that, no later than December 1, 2003, the department shall submit a progress report regarding the work of the western Washington permit development advisory group and the eastern Washington advisory group to the appropriate committees of the legislature.