| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Ecology & Parks Committee | |
HB 2553
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: Regarding the management of hazardous wastes in Puget Sound.
Sponsors: Representatives Dickerson, Hudgins, Lantz and Schual-Berke.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/25/08
Staff: Jason Callahan (786-7117).
Background:
The Puget Sound Partnership (Partnership) is a state agency that was created in 2007 to oversee
the restoration of the environmental health of the Puget Sound by the year 2020 (RCW
90.71.210). The Partnership is comprised of the executive director, the Leadership Council, the
Ecosystem Coordinating Board, and the Puget Sound Science Panel.
The Leadership Council is made up of seven gubernatorial appointments and serves as the upper
managing board for the overall Partnership (RCW 90.71.220). One of the duties of the
Leadership Council is to develop the Puget Sound Action Agenda. The Action Agenda consists
of goals, objectives, and implementation strategies required to meet measurable outcomes,
benchmarks, and the identification of responsible entities by the year 2020 (RCW 90.71.300).
Summary of Bill:
Any public entity that is a subdivision of the state and has received a state or federal permit to
dispose of sediment or other materials containing detectable traces of hazardous waste must,
prior to actually implementing their permitted action, receive express confirmation from the
Partnership that the action is not inconsistent with the Puget Sound Action Agenda or other plan
to restore the health of Puget Sound.
The petitioning of the Partnership may not occur until all other required federal and state permits
for the proposed action have been issued. Once the public entity is ready to petition the
Partnership, a request must be made to the Executive Director, who then presents the applicable
information to the Leadership Council. The information presented includes the information
provided by the petitioning public entity, the staff of the Partnership, other state and federal
agencies, and other interested parties. The Leadership Council has the full discretion as to how
petitions will be considered.
A proposed action triggers the petitioning requirement if the action involves the disposal or
relocation of sediment or other materials containing detectable amounts of hazardous materials
anywhere in Puget Sound or on the aquatic lands below Puget Sound. The petition to the
Partnership is not required if the disposal or relocation is part of an agreed order under the Model
Toxics Control Act.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.