Revised rules for remedial-action grants proposed

Washington State Department of Ecology

Department of Ecology News Release - October 11, 2004

04-191

Revised rules for remedial-action grants proposed

OLYMPIA - The state Department of Ecology (Ecology) is inviting public comment on proposed changes to a regulation governing the types of financial assistance available to local governments to clean up toxic sites.

Ecology is revising the regulation because recent amendments to MTCA expanded the types of cleanups that are eligible for grant funding, to include cleaning up methamphetamine labs and derelict vessels.

The proposal also would officially define the loan program.

For the most part, the changes are administrative: establishing rules for grant programs recently authorized under MTCA, clarifying the rules that govern existing grant programs and the new loan program, and making remedial actions conducted under federal Superfund orders eligible for grants.

"We want to do all we can to help the customers we work with," said Diane Singer, a grants manager for Ecology. "Although these changes are basic, the clarifications will make funding more readily available to local governments and communities affected by hazardous-waste contamination."

Information on the rule amendments is available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/grants/ragrulerev.html.

Comments will be accepted through Dec. 31. A comment form is available online at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/grants/ragcommentform.html.

Comments also may be submitted by e-mail to dire461@ecy.wa.gov or by mail to Diane Singer, Department of Ecology, Solid Waste & Financial Assistance Program, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia, Wash., 98504-7600.

Two public hearings will be held:

* Lacey - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, at Department of Ecology's headquarters, 300 Desmond Drive.

* Spokane - 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 14, at Department of Ecology's Eastern Regional Office, 4601 N. Monroe St.

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Media contact: Caitlin Cormier, public information manager, 360-407-6149

Facts about the rule revision: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0407015.html

Rule-revision site: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/laws-rules/activity/wac173322.html

Frequently asked questions: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/biblio/0407014.html