Publication Summary

This rule establishes requirements for a program of grants and loans to local governments for cleaning up sites contaminated by hazardous waste. Authority for the program and rule comes from state law: RCW 70.105D.070 (3)(a) and (7). The remedial action grants and loans encourage and expedite the cleanup of hazardous waste sites. They also reduce the financial impact of the cleanup on ratepayers and taxpayers. The remedial action grants and loans supplement local government funding and funding from other sources to carry out site cleanups.

Proposed Amendments

The proposed amendments will create a new Extraordinary Financial Hardship loan program. This loan program will have deferred terms and conditions that may not be indefinite. Applicants for this new loan program must demonstrate all of the following hardships: • Financial need for the loan. • Inability to repay the loan under present circumstances. • Inability to obtain funds from any other source. • Inability to bond or raise its tax base. Local governments cannot receive Extraordinary Financial Hardship loans unless the Department of Ecology′s director approves their applications.

The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has developed information and ways to inform the public about this rule amendment. Ecology regularly updates a Web page, http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/grants/rag_ammend.html, with information on rule activities. In addition, if you provide your name and address, Ecology will add you to an electronic mailing list and e-mail you information about rule activities. (To get on Ecology′s electronic mailing list, visit http://listserv.wa.gov/archives/322-ragl-rule-development.html.)