FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5561

                              C 293 L 89

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Barr, Sutherland, Benitz, Vognild, DeJarnatt, Sellar, Hansen, Bauer, Patterson and Nelson)

Assisting fin fish culture facilities.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

House Committe on Fisheries & Wildlife

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature has established policy to ensure the purity of state waters by maintaining the highest standards for water quality consistent with public health and enjoyment.  This includes the protection and propagation of wildlife, birds, game, fish and other aquatic life and regulation of any industrial development which would adversely affect water quality.  All known and reasonable methods to prevent and control pollution of state waters (RCW 90.48.010) must be used.

Fish rearing facilities are nonconsumptive users of water, and return the water to its source.  Prior to discharge, the water from a fish hatchery must be treated to prevent degradation of water quality.

The fish farming industry reports there are delays in administering the wastewater discharge permits by the Department of Ecology and there are no clear or consistent standards for issuing permits.

SUMMARY:

Fin fish hatching and rearing facilities are exclusively on uplands and defined to mean those where fish are hatched, fed, nurtured, held, maintained or reared to reach the size of release for market sale.

By September 30, 1989, the Department of Ecology will adopt standards under its rule-making authority for waste discharge from upland fin fish hatching and rearing facilities.  The department will incorporate studies conducted by the United States Environmental Protection Agency on upland fin fish rearing facilities and other relevant information.  No later than September 30, 1989, the department will issue a general permit which is authorized both by the federal Clean Water Act and state law for upland fin fish hatching and rearing facilities.  The department will approve or deny applications for coverage under the general permit within 180 days from the date of application, unless a longer time is required to satisfy public participation requirements.  The department will notify applicants as soon as the department determines that a proposed discharge permit meets or fails to meet standards or general permit conditions.

The Department of Ecology may adopt rules to eliminate the permit requirements for disposing of waste by individual upland fin fish rearing facilities unless a permit is required under the federal Clean Water Act's national pollutant discharge elimination system.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

     Senate   47    0

     House 93  0 (House amended)

     Senate   46    0 (Senate concurred)

EFFECTIVE:May 8, 1989