SENATE BILL REPORT

ESHB 115

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Rust, Allen, Brekke, May, Walker, Nutley and Lux)

Providing for single authority to be responsible for solid waste management and eliminating city comprehensive solid waste management plans.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1988; February 24, 1988

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Barr, DeJarnatt, Kreidler, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                  February 24, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 24, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Counties, in cooperation with cities, are required to prepare and periodically update comprehensive solid waste management plans.  These plans specify current and long-range management actions within the county.  Comprehensive plans may include more than one county.

Due to the serious environmental problems associated with landfilling garbage, solid waste management practices are undergoing some major changes.  By 1989, all landfills must meet stringent new standards as required by Department of Ecology regulations.  Many local governments are turning to incineration to solve their garbage problems.

The need to finance capital intensive projects such as incinerators and new landfills has led some parties to believe that more coordination and planning are necessary to develop the comprehensive management plans.  Other parties believe that the current, more flexible approach is preferable.

SUMMARY:

By January 1, 1988, every county and the cities within the county must enter into an interlocal agreement for the purpose of preparing a comprehensive solid waste management plan.  The interlocal agreement must designate a lead agency responsible for plan preparation, provide for joint financing, and delineate the responsibilities of the various jurisdictions.  A city or county designated as the lead agency shall have the authority to designate, operate, manage, regulate, and set rates for solid waste disposal sites covered by the plan.

Every county and the cities within the county must prepare a coordinated comprehensive solid waste management plan, with several exceptions.  Any city with a population of more than 100,000 and any city that disposes of all its own wastes in its own facility may prepare its own plan to be integrated into the comprehensive plan.  Any city or county that owns or operates a solid waste facility shall continue to be responsible for the facility unless the legislative authority of the city or county approves otherwise.

Each jurisdiction covered must adopt or reject the plan within six months of its completion.  The plan will be forwarded to the department for approval unless the jurisdictions representing a majority of the population reject the plan or portions of it.  If these jurisdictions reject any part of the plan, or if one is not prepared, the department will adopt the necessary portions of a plan for the county and the cities within the county.

Landfill owners and/or operators must provide a description of present or projected future operational costs and rates to cities, counties, and major disposers using the site.  Rate changes for public landfills may occur only after a public hearing.

Local solid waste advisory committees are no longer limited to nine members.  Members are appointed by local elected officials; representatives from one small city and all cities that operate solid waste disposal sites must be represented.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The House bill was not considered and a striking amendment was adopted in its place.

A county has no responsibility to provide a disposal site to a city if the city does not take action on its solid waste management plan.  Cities using county landfills must enter into an interlocal agreement with the county.  AA counties and cities within them are exempt from these provisions.

Cities may not annex non-contiguous land for the purposes of siting a solid waste landfill.

The Board of Natural Resources may reconvey land to a county if that land is currently being used as landfill and was previously deeded to the board or the state by the county.

Transfer stations are redefined to include drop boxes.  Counties are authorized to collect garbage with their own equipment on county courthouses, fairgrounds, and parks.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: George Cvitavick, Washington Waste Management; Bill Brubaker, Snohomish County Council (for); Mark Sagura, Citizen (against); Kathleen Collins, AWC (against); Wally Johnson; Jim Williams, Association of Counties (for)