HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESSB 6266

As Amended by the House

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Metcalf, Vognild and Barr)

Revising provisions for aquifer protection districts.

House Committe on Local Government

Majority Report:  Do pass with amendment.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Haugen, Chair; Cooper, Vice Chair; Beck, Bumgarner, Butterfield, Dorn, Ferguson, Hine, Jones, Nealey, Nelson, Nutley and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Steve Lundin (786-7127)

AS PASSED HOUSE MARCH 3, 1988

BACKGROUND:

In 1985 the Legislature authorized the creation of aquifer protection areas to finance the protection, preservation, and rehabilitation of subterranean water.  County legislative authorities may create such areas upon approval of a ballot proposition authorizing the aquifer protection area by majority vote of the voters residing within the proposed area who vote on the proposition.  Aquifer protection areas may charge fees on the withdrawal of subterranean water and for on-site sewage disposal.  Revenues may be used to fund comprehensive plan preparation, construction of water quality facilities, and the reduction of special assessments imposed for construction of water quality facilities.

SUMMARY:

Aquifer protection areas can be used to finance the costs of monitoring and inspecting on-site or community sewage disposal systems for compliance with applicable standards, and for enforcing compliance with these standards in aquifer protection areas created after the effective date of this act.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Gary Lowe, Washington Association of Counties.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    This amendment narrows the bill.  Island County is considering the use of unique on-site and community sewage disposal systems. These systems need constant monitoring to ensure they are maintained.  This will allow voters to approve fees to help finance the monitoring of these systems.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.