January 24, 2001

Dear Interested Persons:

RE: Notice of Availability of the Final MTCA Environmental Impact Statement

The Department of Ecology (Department) has proposed amendments and new sections to the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) Cleanup Rule (Chapter 173-340 WAC), the Public Participation Grant Rule (Chapter 173-321 WAC), and the Remedial Action Grant Rule (Chapter 173-322 WAC). A draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) was issued in December, 1999, for a 60-day comment period. Ecology has now issued the Final EIS, which reflects departmental consideration of comments received on the draft EIS.

The purpose of the final EIS is to identify key, adverse, environmental issues that may result from the proposed rule amendments. The amendments would apply to sites across the state being cleaned up under the Model Toxics Control Act.

No additional significant issues pertaining to the three rules were identified as a result of the scoping process or the public comment period for the draft EIS. Therefore, the focus of the final EIS is to analyze the issues as they pertain to the proposed MTCA rule amendments and to respond to comments received.

The Department will provide a separate concise explanatory statement, available at the time of rule adoption, for all non-EIS related comments submitted on the proposed rule revision. Rule adoption is estimated to occur on or before February 12, 2001.

If you would like a copy of the Final EIS, please contact Carol Dorn at (360) 407-7224 or electronically at cesg461@ecy.wa.gov. If you have any questions about this rulemaking, please contact Curtis Dahlgren, at (360) 407-7187or electronically at cdah461@ecy.wa.gov.

The Department appreciates the contributions made by the reviewers of this EIS.

Sincerely,

James J. Pendowski, Manager
Toxics Cleanup Program