HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 509

BYRepresentatives Holland, Rust, Walker, Valle, J. Williams, Unsoeld, Allen, Patrick, Ferguson and Lux

Limiting the use of landfills for solid waste disposal.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:     The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (14)

     Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Allen, Brekke, Ferguson, Jesernig, Lux, May, Pruitt, Schoon, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Unsoeld and Walker.

House Staff:Susan Gulick (786-7116)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

FEBRUARY 24, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1984 the legislature established management priorities for solid waste.  Waste reduction is the highest priority, followed by recycling and incineration, with landfills as the lowest priority.  Currently there are no public incineration facilities in operation in the state, but several of the larger counties have begun the planning and permit process.  Most wastes disposed in landfills can be incinerated, but certain wastes (such as large appliances) cannot be burned.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  After January 1, 1992, solid waste may not be disposed in landfills in Class AA an Class A counties (i.e. King, Pierce, Snohomish and Spokane) except for ash residue from incinerators and materials that are unsuitable for incineration.  The Department of Ecology may grant six month extensions to this deadline.

These counties may not create any new landfills after the effective date of this act unless they can demonstrate that a landfill is needed exclusively for ash residue and materials that are unsuitable for incineration.

The Department of Ecology will adopt rules to implement these provisions.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The substitute bill includes provisions allowing for extensions of the deadline.

Fiscal Note:    Attached.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:     Rep. Holland; No D.U.M.P., Inc.; private citizens.

House Committee - Testified Against: None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:     There is a serious solid waste problem in this state.  This bill is designed to reduce the environmental impacts of solid waste landfills.

House Committee - Testimony Against: None Presented.