Brief Description: Studying nitrogen contributions from on-site sewage systems in Hood Canal.

Sponsors: Representatives Chase, Sump, Eickmeyer, McCoy, Walsh and Pearson.

Hearing Date: 2/2/06

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

Hood Canal

Hood Canal is a glacier-carved fjord approximately 60 miles in length with approximately 180 miles of shoreline. Portions of Hood Canal have had low-dissolved oxygen concentrations for many years. Research and monitoring related to Hood Canal's low dissolved oxygen concentrations is being conducted. The Department of Ecology's marine waters monitoring program and the University of Washington's Puget Sound Regional Synthesis Model (PRISM) program involve testing at numerous Hood Canal stations. In addition, Hood Canal monitoring and research are being conducted by the United States Geological Survey and various local agencies and organizations. Further, a group of 20 federal, state, local, tribal, and nonprofit entities have established the Hood Canal Dissolved Oxygen Program (HCDOP), a three-year effort to coordinate Hood Canal monitoring, analysis, and modeling results.

Hood Canal Rehabilitation Program

The Puget Sound Action Team (PSAT) is a state agency that develops and coordinates water quality programs for Puget Sound. The Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC) is a group of county and tribal governments established to address water quality problems and natural resource issues in the Hood Canal watershed. The Legislature authorized development of a Hood Canal rehabilitation program in Hood Canal in 2005. The PSAT is designated as the state lead agency for the Hood Canal rehabilitation program. The HCCC is designated as the program's local management board. The PSAT and HCCC must jointly coordinate a process to prioritize projects, studies, and activities based on the likely value in addressing and resolving Hood Canal's low-dissolved oxygen concentrations.

Summary of Bill:

The PSAT and the HCCC must contract for a study in the Hood Canal to improve data on nitrogen loading from on-site septic systems in Hood Canal. The study must compile data on on-site septic systems and collect samples from a variety of sites. The study design must consider samples both up gradient and down gradient from on-site septic systems, and collect data from drain fields to test their efficiency. The study must also improve data and knowledge of nitrogen loading from all groundwater sources to Hood Canal, and must be coordinated with other studies conducted in the canal by the HCDOP. The PSAT and the HCCC must report findings and recommendations to the Legislature by December 1, 2007.

Appropriation: The sum of $600,00 from the General Fund.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.