SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 15

BYHouse Committee on Environmental Affairs (originally sponsored by Representatives Rust, Allen, Valle, Unsoeld, Brekke, Lux, Pruitt, Jacobsen and Heavey)

Requiring hazardous waste management priorities to be followed.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 31, 1987

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

AS OF MARCH 30, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1983, the Legislature passed a bill to establish the following management priorities for hazardous wastes:  1) waste reduction (highest priority), 2) recycling, 3) treatment, 4) incineration, 5) solidification/stabilization, and 6) landfill disposal (lowest priority).

At the same time, the Legislature also directed the Department of Ecology to conduct a study of the best management practices for various categories of hazardous waste in order to promote the management priorities.  The study, including a final report, was completed this past July.  The Department is to adopt rules to promote the implementation of the management priorities by July, 1987.

Rather than mandate a single best management practice for each category of waste, the Department recommended that all waste management practices be available to waste managers, (except for land disposal of certain hazardous wastes).  To promote the management priorities, the Department recommended using a combination of information programs, financial incentives and disincentives, and restrictions on land disposal for certain categories of hazardous waste.

SUMMARY:

After July 1, 1988, the management priorities set by the Legislature for hazardous wastes must be followed unless the Department of Ecology grants an exemption.  Prior to this date, the Department will adopt rules to establish criteria to grant exemptions should the management priorities pose an unreasonable economic burden on waste managers.

By July 1, 1987, the Department will develop rules to specify the appropriate management priority for each category of waste identified in the Department's study.

Fiscal Note:      available