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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Dec. 8, 1998
98-200
Contacts: Lynn Singleton, integrated-information manager,
360-407-6610
Caitlin Cormier, public information officer, 360-407-6149
OLYMPIA - Anyone with Internet access can now determine the state and federal environmental permits needed for a project simply by sitting down at a computer.
The Department of Ecology's (Ecology) Online Permit Assistance System (OPAS) offers a swift way to cross-reference, research and consolidate information on federal, state and local environmental and land-use laws and procedures.
The online service builds on the work of the Washington State Permit Assistance Center, which was created in 1995 to help citizens, businesses and public agencies comply with environmental quality laws.
By typing http://apps.ecy.wa.gov/opas/ (revised following move of Ecology's web site) into an Internet browser, the public can obtain a complete list of permit requirements and download several permit applications. Besides Ecology, the site also features links to important information provided by Washington state's departments of Fish & Wildlife, Health, and Natural Resources, as well as state air authorities and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
By answering a series of questions about a proposed project, the inquiring person can receive a list of required permits, and the names and phone numbers of the agencies he or she will need to contact.
"The new Web application makes it easier for people to understand and comply with environmental requirements," said Lynn Singleton, who manages the OPAS system for Ecology. "By taking some of the confusion out of the system, we hope to serve the public better and reap rewards for the environment."
OPAS helps the public, environmental consultants, engineers, contractors and government agencies get started on projects quickly. Since changes to permitting requirements happen regularly, the site is constantly updated, so users have access to the most current information.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
