Publication Summary

Ecology is proposing amendments to WAC 173-308. The Administrative Procedures Act RCW 34.05.328(d) requires Ecology to determine that: • The probable benefits of the rule are greater than its probable costs, taking into account both the qualitative and quantitative benefits and costs and the specific directives of the statute being implemented.

• The rule being adopted is the least burdensome alternative for those required to comply with it.

Ecology analyzed the proposed amendments and determines that some of them will increase costs and others will decrease costs. We also determine that the probable benefits will exceed the probable costs; we can proceed with the proposed rule, and further evaluation of the amendments.

The present value of the cost of the proposed amendments is in the range of $3.7 million for a 5-year period. Ecology estimated these costs based on data provided by facility managers who responded to a survey (see Appendix 2 for the surveys and Appendix 3 for a detailed summary of results).