Publication Summary

Since 1955 the state′s Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.48) has regulated discharges of pollutants through permits to surface and ground waters in order to protect against threats to residents′ health, livelihoods, and communities. The Act is the foundation of Washington′s efforts to maintain clean water in the state.

Since 1955 the state′s Water Pollution Control Act (RCW 90.48) has regulated discharges of pollutants through permits to surface and ground waters in order to protect against threats to residents′ health, livelihoods, and communities. The Act is the foundation of Washington′s efforts to maintain clean water in the state.

Between 1955 and 1988, all citizens bore the cost of this permit program through general fund appropriations by the Washington Legislature and through federal grants. Since 1988, however, when voters passed Initiative 97 (I-97), holders of wastewater discharge permits have been required to pay fees to cover the costs of managing the permit program. Since 1994 when voters passed Initiative 601 (I-601), fees have been linked to that law′s fiscal growth factor. Fees paid by holders of wastewater discharge permits are deposited in a dedicated account, the wastewater discharge permit fee account, not into the State General Fund.

Each biennium, the state Legislature authorizes Ecology to spend fee funds from the permit fee account for fee-eligible activities. This report discusses fee revenues and expenditures from the permit fee account for the period July 1, 1997 through June 30, 1999. It also summarizes program outputs and significant events for that period. Finally, this report highlights planned expenditures from the dedicated permit fee account for the current biennium.