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Department of Ecology News Release - October 3, 2001
01-174
OLYMPIA - Anyone with an interest in cleaning and protecting Washington's waterways is encouraged to participate in public workshops this month to discuss adjusting fees for wastewater discharge permits.
The Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) administers approximately 4,000 state and federal wastewater discharge permits that regulate the safe release of treated water into lakes, rivers, and marine and underground 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 must have permits to manage the safe discharge of pollution.
A 1988 citizens' initiative required that fees for permits cover Ecology's costs for administering wastewater-discharge permits. The fees enable Ecology to provide information and offer assistance to permit holders, review engineering plans, inspect permitted businesses and treatment facilities, and do other administrative work.
This year, the state legislature authorized Ecology to collect approximately $24.3 million in permit fees during the July 1, 2001-June 30, 2003, budget period. By state law, Ecology must now go through an administrative rule process to review proposals to spend the money the agency will collect.
In response to a recent U.S. Ninth Circuit Court ruling, Ecology is proposing to add one new category of permits that must pay the administrative fee. The category is for permits to use aquatic pesticides in or near waterways to control algae and unwanted plants.
In accordance with Initiative 601, Ecology cannot increase fees higher than the projected fiscal growth factor for the state. During the 2001-03 budget period, the fiscal growth factor, which is a combination of inflation and population growth, is projected to increase by approximately 6 percent.
Ecology will hold public workshops to discuss the proposed amendments to the permit-fee rule. The workshops will begin at 1 p.m.
The workshops are one of the first steps in making changes to the permit fees. Ecology will hold public hearings in the winter to gather further comments.
CONTACT: Mary Getchell, Public Information Manager, (360) 407-6157; pager, (360) 534-8590Ecology Web site: www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/permit_fees/index.htm
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
