Rule proposed to help streamline water-quality loan process

Washington State Department of Ecology

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 26, 1998

98-180

CONTACT: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157; pager, (360) 534-8590
Brian Howard, Loan Coordinator, (360) 407-6510

Rule proposed to help streamline water-quality loan process

OLYMPIA - The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) is seeking public comment on a proposed rule that should make it more efficient to process water quality loans for local and tribal governments.

The low-interest loans are sponsored by the federal government and administered by Ecology to help local governments and Indian tribes upgrade or expand wastewater treatment plants. The loans are also used to prevent water pollution problems such as elevated temperature and fecal coliform bacteria, which come from practices such as agriculture, logging and urban development. Through 1997, Ecology had provided approximately $325 million through the loan program.

The proposed rule change is aimed at improving the effectiveness and efficiency of the program by:

Making the program more consistent with the state-funded Centennial Clean Water Fund, which provides grant and loan money for water quality projects;
Ensuring the continued existence of the fund program; and
Clarifying the existing loan program rule.

People may get more information, ask questions and offer formal testimony on the draft rule at a public hearing this month from 10 a.m. to noon on Thursday, Oct. 29, at the Department of Ecology's headquarters, 300 Desmond Dr., Rm. 1-S17, Lacey.

The proposed rule, entitled Uses and Limitations of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund, is posted on the Internet at: http://www.wa.gov/ecology/leg/arcc_all.html (Link removed 01/08/02; Web page no longer active after rule adoption.). Through Nov. 6, people may also obtain copies of the rule or send comments on it by contacting Brian Howard, Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, WA 98504-7600, (360) 407-6510.