SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5978

BYSenators Madsen, Metcalf, Rasmussen and von Reichbauer

Creating a sludge study task force.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 28, 1989

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5978 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill be referred to Committee on Rules without recommendation.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Benitz, Kreidler, Patterson, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Atsushi Kiuchi (786-7708)

                  February 28, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 28, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Proper and safe disposal of sewage sludge is a major issue facing all wastewater treatment plants.  Sludge is residue from the wastewater treatment process and can be recycled for use as a fertilizer, soil enrichment and composting.

The federal Environmental Protection Agency estimates 140 to 150 million metric wet tons are produced annually in the nation.

The Metropolitan Municipal Corporation (Metro) is the state's largest producer of sludge.  Its Renton and West Point facilities produced 84,811 wet tons of sludge solids in 1988.

Several new proposals for land application of sludge are under consideration in Pierce and Thurston Counties.  Public concerns are directed at health impacts due to potential surface and ground water contamination.

SUMMARY:

A task force is formed to study health and environmental impacts from land application of municipal sewage sludge.  Local governments may not issue disposal site approvals for land application of municipal sewage sludge after June 1, 1989.

Permit applications will be accepted but no action will be taken until June 1, 1996.

The task force will review and investigate alternative methods, technical and scientific data, and current rules and regulations.

The task force will report its findings and make its recommendations on December 1, 1995.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

A drafting error is corrected in the title to identify the bill to add new sections to 70.95 RCW.

Provisions of this bill apply only to sludge originating from Class AA and A counties.  It is clarified that permits subject to renewal during the moratorium for land application on existing sites are exempt.

The task force membership is expanded to include:  one each from the Department of Wildlife and the Department of Fisheries, two from affected cities appointed by the Association of Washington Cities, two from the affected counties appointed by the Washington State Association of Counties, two from the environmental community, and three from the general public of each affected county in the state.  The President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives jointly appoint the members of the task force not otherwise appointed.  The Department of Ecology coordinates the task force.

The task force report and recommendations go to the Legislature by January 1, 1993.  The act expires June 30, 1993.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 21, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator Madsen (pro); Kevin Johnson, McKenna (pro); John Lampe, METRO (con); Terry Husseman, Department of Ecology; Tricia Keenan, Yelm (pro); Ed Kenney, Rainier (pro); Marty Erdahl, City of Tacoma Utilities (con); Frank Nickerson, Olympia (pro)