SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5306

BYSenators Talmadge, Kiskaddon, Kreidler and Lee

Regulating disposal of sanitary wastes at marinas.

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 28, 1987; February 18, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5306 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bluechel, Kiskaddon.

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                  February 18, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, FEBRUARY 18, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Federal law requires boats with installed toilets to treat or store sewage waste.  Most boats use holding tanks to store the waste.  Marina pumpout facilities empty holding tanks using suction.  Boaters sometimes complain they are required to hold and eventually empty waste, but often cannot find adequate pumpout facilities.  A lack of pumpout facilities forces some boaters to illegally discharge sewage waste overboard.  Overboard dumping of waste has been cited as a significant source of non- point pollution in the state.

The Department of Ecology (DOE) has a policy of requiring pumpout facilities when approving new or expanded marinas.  Most marinas are not equipped with pumpout facilities.

SUMMARY:

After July 1, 1990, pumpout facilities will be required at marinas meeting certain requirements.  DOE will determine if a marina is required to install a pumpout facility.  A task force consisting of government agencies and interest groups shall be assembled to develop rules for the design, operation, and general location of pumpout facilities.

Marina owners installing pumpout facilities will be eligible for a 20 percent credit on their B&O tax.  An account using funds from the boater excise tax will be established to reimburse the general fund.  This account will expire on July 1, 1993.  A boaters education program will be established using funds from the gasoline excise tax.

Appropriation:    Up to $300,000 from the boater excise tax.

Fiscal Note:      requested

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Marine pumpout facilities will be required at marinas meeting certain requirements by July 1, 1991.

Funds from the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation will not be utilized.

The DSHS will not have any rule-making authority.

Penalty provisions are reduced to $50 per day from $500 per day.

Senate Committee - Testified: Gary Plews, DSHS; Bruce Wishart, Sierra Club; Lew Holcomb, Port Association; Ed O'Brien, Department of Ecology; Mike Reed, State Parks; Amy Bell, Puget Sound Water Quality Authority; John Woodring, NW Marine Trade Association; Marc Jarosic, Inter-Club