H-0775.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1169
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 Regular Session
By Representatives Campbell, Sullivan and Bush
Read first time 01/18/1999. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.
AN ACT Relating to limiting the siting of solid waste landfills; adding a new section to chapter 70.95 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that there is approximately a fifty-year capacity within existing municipal solid waste landfills in the state. The legislature also finds that ground water contamination is the most serious environmental threat posed by municipal solid waste landfills and that the potential for contaminated ground water is far less in arid climates. The legislature further finds that approximately forty percent of garbage is currently being disposed of within arid areas of the state. The legislature therefore declares that no new municipal solid waste landfill should be located in a site that receives an average of twelve or more inches of rain per year.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 70.95 RCW to read as follows:
As of July 1, 1999, no new municipal solid waste landfill may be sited in an area of the state that receives twelve or more inches of rain per year, based on the most recent thirty-year average. This section shall not apply to the expansion of any landfill that has been legally permitted before July 1, 1999.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
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