BILL REQ. #:  H-3873.1 

Read first time 01/10/2006.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to outfalls in Puget Sound; and creating new sections.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that healthy shellfish populations are an important component of the Puget Sound ecosystem, by filtering water and improving water quality. The legislature further finds that shellfish harvests provide jobs, generate economic benefits, and provide state funds for public access to aquatic lands and management of state aquatic resources. The legislature further finds that point source outfalls result in the closure of shellfish beds, and the loss of both environmental and economic benefits. The legislature further finds that investments to address shellfish closures due to point source outfalls may result in long-term financial and environmental benefits. The legislature therefore finds that a systematic approach to evaluating outfalls in Puget Sound must be conducted with the goal of improving water quality and reducing the closure of shellfish beds.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The department of ecology, in cooperation with the department of health, the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, and representatives from affected stakeholders, including, but not limited to, environmental interests, shellfish growers, and organizations representing both public and private outfalls, shall conduct a systematic evaluation of point source outfalls in Puget Sound and their impact on shellfish by December 1, 2006.
     (2) The evaluation must:
     (a) Identify all point source outfalls in Puget Sound in relation to shellfish growing areas;
     (b) Estimate the shellfish areas closed due to outfalls, including an estimate of the impact on commercial shellfish harvests;
     (c) Determine options for altering the outfall to increase shellfish areas available for harvest. The options may include new treatment technologies, water reuse, or other options that result in either removal of the outfall, reducing or otherwise improving the water quality of the discharge, or other outcomes resulting in an increase in shellfish growing areas; and
     (d) Prioritize projects based on the costs of making improvements in relation to the economic and environmental benefits of the project.
     (3) The department of ecology, in cooperation with the department of health, the department of natural resources, and the department of fish and wildlife, and affected stakeholders shall develop recommendations and report findings to the appropriate committees of the legislature for funding options to implement projects identified in subsection (2)(d) of this section by December 1, 2006. The recommendations must include incentives to encourage current operators of legally permitted outfalls to undertake projects that would improve water quality and increase shellfish growing areas. The report must also include a review of all current grant and loan programs available to fund projects identified in the list.