SB 5645-S - DIGEST

(DIGEST OF PROPOSED 1ST SUBSTITUTE)

Declares an intent to: (1) Provide direction to the department of ecology 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 of ecology to work within that process when implementing the phase two program in eastern Washington; and

(3) Establish a stakeholder process to assist the department of ecology 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.

Provides that in accordance with federal and state law, permits for municipal separate storm sewer systems shall require the development, implementation, and enforcement of storm water management programs designed to reduce the discharge of pollutants to the maximum extent practicable to satisfy the requirements of the federal clean water act.

Requires 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.

Requires the department to develop a municipal separate storm water system permit or permits that address 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.

Directs the department to submit a report regarding the recommendations of the western Washington permit development advisory group and the eastern Washington advisory group.