HOUSE BILL REPORT
SB 6504
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Ecology & Parks
Title: An act relating to exempting certain minor new construction associated with construction storm water general permits from the state environmental policy act.
Brief Description: Exempting certain minor new construction associated with construction storm water general permits from SEPA.
Sponsors: Senators Hatfield, Swecker, Delvin, Regala, Schoesler, Morton, Pridemore and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Ecology.
Brief History:
Ecology & Parks: 2/20/08, 2/22/08 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 7 members: Representatives Upthegrove, Chair; Rolfes, Vice Chair; Sump, Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, O'Brien and Pearson.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
In 2005 the Department of Ecology (DOE) issued a new construction storm water general
permit to meet the requirements of the Clean Water Act. The permit requires construction
projects that disturb one or more acres of land to get a storm water permit from the DOE
before the start of construction. Because of the permit requirement, local governments are
required to do a State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review of the project. A SEPA
review requires an environmental impact statement be written in order for the project to
begin.
Summary of Bill:
A new construction storm water project does not need to have a SEPA review if it disturbs
less than five acres. The exemption does not occur if the project is being constructed in an
environmentally sensitive area.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) This is permit streamlining that the builders support. This will restore the law to
what it was before the DOE wrote their new storm water permits in 2005.
(Opposed) None.
Persons Testifying: Senator Hatfield, prime sponsor; and Andrew Cook, Business Industry Association of Washington.