HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 6262

BYSenators Nelson, Bender and von Reichbauer; by request of Department of Transportation

Extending the length of permits for I-90 construction.

House Committe on Transportation

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (23)

      Signed by Representatives Walk, Chair; Baugher, Vice Chair; Betrozoff, Cantwell, Cooper, Doty, Fisher, Fox, Hankins, Haugen, Heavey, Jones, Kremen, Meyers, Patrick, Prince, Schmidt, Sutherland, Todd, J. Williams, K. Wilson, S. Wilson and Zellinsky.

House Staff:Louise Bray (786-7322)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 26, 1988

BACKGROUND:

State law requires that all projects impacting the shorelines of the state get substantial development permits from the Department of Ecology (DOE) before construction can proceed.  This administrative authority is provided under Chapter 90.58 RCW.  The administrative rules and regulations adopted by DOE to implement this authority provide, in part, that permits issued are limited to five years and allow a one-year extension.

The substantial development permits for constructing I-90 in Seattle and Mercer Island expire in April, 1988.  No extensions to the permits are possible due to the time limitations outlined in WAC 173-14, "permits for developments on shorelines of the state".

Without the permits in place, the Department would have to stop work on bridge and shoreline-related work on the I-90 project.  If existing permits expire, new permit applications would have to be made to the cities of Seattle and Mercer Island to complete work under existing permits.  The permit process would take approximately nine months and could impose new conditions on the project.

Current plans call for the I-90 project to be completed by 1992.

SUMMARY:

The Shoreline Management Act is amended by extending the existing permits for I-90 construction on or adjacent to Lake Washington, or any that may be issued in the future, until December 31, 1995.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Clyde Slemmer, Department of Transportation.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Extension of the shoreline management permits relating to construction of I-90 across Lake Washington is necessary to avoid costly delays.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.