Comments sought on state's largest water-quality funding program

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - Oct. 23, 2000

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Comments sought on state's largest water-quality funding program

OLYMPIA - This week, people may give final comments on proposals for improving and streamlining Washington state's most substantial funding programs for protecting and improving water quality in lakes, rivers, estuaries and ground water.

The Department of Ecology (Ecology) will conduct public hearings on two draft rules that direct how two funding programs are managed: Uses and Limitations of Centennial Clean Water Funds and Uses and Limitations of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund.

YAKIMA Wednesday, Oct. 25 1:30 p.m.
Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Dr.

SPOKANE Thursday, Oct. 26 9:30 a.m.
West Central Community Center, 1603 N. Belt

BELLEVUE        Friday, Oct. 27                                       1:30 p.m.
                         Dept. of Ecology Northwest Regional Office
                         3190 160th Ave. SE, Rooms 1A and 1B

The public hearings are the final step in a yearlong effort to develop rules that will guide Ecology in making significant funding decisions.

"The proposed rules should also help local governments, Indian tribes and citizen groups that apply for funding be more successful at getting the funding," said Megan White, who manages Ecology's water-quality program. "With the help of an advisory council and advice from other citizens, we hope we've designed rules that will establish a playing field that is understood and fair for all participants."

White added that Ecology makes tough funding decisions every year, since the funding requests usually outpace the amount of money available. "That's why clear rules and direction are needed," said White.

Since the 1970s, Ecology has administered money and provided technical assistance to help communities prevent and solve water pollution problems. This year, local communities will share approximately $94 million in loans and grants aimed at improving the quality of water in Washington.

People may send written comments on the proposed rule through Thursday, Nov. 2, to Tim Hilliard, Dept. of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7600.

CONTACT: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157, pager, (360) 534-8590
Tim Hilliard, Rule Coordinator, (360) 407-6429

For more information, visit Ecology's Web page: www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/index.html