ANALYSIS OF HB 1169

House Agriculture & Ecology Committee                                                  February 9, 1999

    Prohibits the siting of new solid waste disposal landfills in areas receiving twelve or more inches of rain per year.

BACKGROUND:

Every county or city siting a solid waste disposal facility is required to review each potential site for conformance with the standards set by the Department of Ecology for geology, groundwater, soil, climate, and a variety of other factors (RCW 70.95.165).  The standards must be designed to use best available technology to protect human health and the environment.  Every county is also required to establish a solid waste advisory committee to assist in the development of programs and policies concerning solid waste disposal.

In 1998, there were 22 municipal solid waste landfills.  Measured in years, the remaining capacity at these facilities is 37.5 years at current disposal rates.  Of the 22 landfills, only 12 have greater than ten years of remaining permitted capacity.  The majority of the state=s remaining permitted capacity is at Roosevelt Regional Landfill in Klickitat County.

An effort to site a new landfill in Pierce County has been controversial.  

SUMMARY:

After July 1, 1999, no new landfill facility may be sited in an area of the state that receives twelve or more inches of rain per year.  This prohibition does not apply to the expansion of any landfill that was legally permitted before July 1, 1999.

This act takes effect immediately.