  |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Oct. 25, 1999
99-215
Contact: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157;
pager, (360) 534-8590
Bev Poston, Water Quality Specialist, (360) 407-6425
OLYMPIA - The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) is asking citizens their views about proposed changes to fees that pay for managing wastewater and stormwater discharge permits.
This year, the state Legislature authorized $22 million for managing the water-quality permit program through June 2001. A 1988 citizens' initiative requires that permit fees fully cover the cost of operating, so Ecology is now proposing adjustments in the fees to collect the authorized amount of money.
"The voters directed companies and municipalities that discharge waste into Washington's waters to make the fee a cost of doing business," said Megan White, who manages Ecology's Water Quality Program. "The fee changes will enable us to continue improving and protecting water quality for people and fish."
Ecology administers approximately 4,200 wastewater and stormwater permits that regulate the discharge of pollution into lakes, rivers, estuaries and ground waters. The permit holders include large and small industries such as pulp mills, fish hatcheries and food-processing facilities. Domestic wastewater-treatment plants, which treat sewage from the majority of homes and businesses in Washington state, also have permits to manage the safe discharge of pollution.
Ecology will hold two public hearings to hear formal comments on the proposed changes to the regulation that governs the permit fees. All of the hearings will begin at 1:30 p.m.
LACEY
Thursday, Oct. 28
Dept. of Ecology auditorium, 300 Desmond Dr.
MOSES LAKE
Friday, Oct. 29
Big Bend Community College, Building 1600, Rm. 1609
7662 Chanute
Details of the proposed fee changes are available at: http://www.wa.gov/ecology/biblio/wac173224.html. People may send written comments on the draft rule to Bev Poston, Dept. of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7600, by Nov. 9, 1999.
Ecology will consider all comments before finalizing the rule. In order to collect money from increased fees, the legislature will need to approve the appropriation.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
