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Department of Ecology News Release - September 5, 2007
07-252
OLYMPIA - A new state program offers $2.5 million to help local governments in the 12 Puget Sound counties conduct small business technical assistance to reduce and prevent water pollution. Nearly 70 percent of the state's hazardous waste generators are in the Puget Sound region - thousands of small businesses.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) has invited local governments to submit funding proposals under a partnership established this year by the Legislature to aid Puget Sound. The program provides funding for local governments to hire "local source control specialists" in the Puget Sound region.
Source control assistance will help businesses control, reduce or eliminate toxic pollution sources. Priorities include reducing pollutants that reach Puget Sound from toxic cleanup sites, storm water sources, or waste generation.
Ecology expects to award eight to 12 "partnership agreements," ranging from $200,000 to $400,000 through June, 2009, depending on the response and available funds.
Local governments help small businesses and citizens safely manage hazardous and solid wastes. Source control specialists will work in partnership with Ecology to visit small businesses and provide technical assistance services intended to control pollution at its source.
Ecology will award contracts based on its evaluation of letters of interest and proposals from local governments. These materials are due by Oct. 29, 2007. Ecology expects to finalize partnership agreements in November.
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Media contacts: Patricia "Chipper" Hervieux, acting local source
control coordinator, 360-407-6756
Larry Altose, public information officer, 425-649-7009
For more information: http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/hwtr/lsp/index.html
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
