| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee | |
HB 2477
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.
Brief Description: Providing for groundwater monitoring and assessments.
Sponsors: Representatives McCoy, Williams, Dickerson, Dunshee, Lantz, Hasegawa, Ormsby, McIntire, Kagi, Upthegrove, Chase, Linville and Hunt.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: January 23, 2008
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
The Department of Ecology (DOE) has the ability to monitor groundwater areas, collect data, and
keep a water resources information system as part of their Water Resource Data Program [RCW
90.54.030]. Most of the general information collected is found on the DOE website. However
data collection is maintained throughout many of the individual programs at the DOE, local
governments, and the federal government and has not be combined into one uniform database.
Summary of Bill:
The DOE's groundwater monitoring program will be improved by standardizing methods, quality
assurance, and data management practices, as well as migrating existing data to a central
database and expanding the current ambient monitoring activities.
By June 30, 2009 the DOE will conduct a pilot groundwater assessment program in both western
and eastern Washington. The pilot programs will be conducted in water resources inventory
areas (WRIAs) experiencing serious or critical withdrawals.
By December 31, 2008 the DOE will prepare a gap analysis that evaluates groundwater
monitoring throughout Washington's WRIAs.
Two and a half million dollars from the General Fund is appropriated to the DOE to implement
these programs.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.