SB 5445 - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 1ST SUB)

Declares that the cleanup priority act makes the cleanup of contamination the top priority at sites with hazardous or mixed waste contamination that threatens our rivers, ground water, environment, and health.

Finds that adding more wastes to sites with mixed radioactive and hazardous wastes where there have been releases into the environment detracts from cleanup, and from the work needed to bring wastes into compliance. The cleanup priority act should be interpreted by the courts consistent with the clear intent of the voters, and the findings and clarifications in this act.

Declares that because court action has prevented the normal role of the department of ecology from issuing defining or interpretive rules, the legislature finds that adoption of the amendments to the cleanup priority act will ensure that the intent of the cleanup priority act is understood and clarified for the courts as well as for businesses or cleanup operations without delay.