Environment & Water

AWC Priority
Clean Up and Protection of the Puget Sound (2SHB 1374/ESSB 5372)

During the past week, several "stakeholder" meetings were held by bill sponsors Sen. Phil Rockefeller (D-Bainbridge Island) and Rep. Dave Upthegrove (D-Des Moines) in hopes of flushing out areas of agreement and to identify differences between the two bills.

Overall, AWC prefers the approach taken in 2SHB 1374 regarding how a new and evolving Puget Sound Action Agenda interacts with and supports local government environmental protection, land use and infrastructure planning and financing efforts. The language on how to accomplish this seems clearer in the House version.

However, there are several parts of ESSB 5372 that are preferable to the House version. ESSB 5372 seems to set up a better and more interactive process of providing input and consultation between a new seven-member Puget Sound Council (which oversees and directs the development and implementation of an action agenda) and local entities responsible for implementing the action agenda. ESSB 5372 also requires reporting on and fine tuning of the action agenda every two years; the House version requires it less often.

Both bills establish new criteria for "scoring" applications for funds from the Public Works Trust and Centennial Clean Water Funds, among others. They do so in slightly different ways.

2SHB 1374 is scheduled for a hearing at 1 pm on Tuesday, March 23 in the Senate Environment, Water & Telecommunications Committee and ESSB 5372 is scheduled for a hearing at 8 am on Tuesday, March 23 in the House Select Committee on the Puget Sound. It is expected that a "blended" bill will emerge from one or the other chambers next week. For more information, please contact Dave Williams, davew@awcnet.org.

AWC Priority
Residential Yard Waste Burning in Small Cities (SSB 6081)

This priority bill is now scheduled for a hearing before the House Select Committee on Environmental Health on Thursday, March 29 at 1:30 pm. In order for it to remain "alive," the bill must also pass out of the committee that day.

AWC is consulting with a number of interested cities in preparation for a panel presentation in support of moving this bill forward. We appreciate the calls and contacts that have been made by many impacted cities in helping to keep this important bill moving. We will continue to keep impacted cities up-to-date on our progress. If you need more information before you hear from us, please contact either Tim Gugerty, timg@awcnet.org, or Dave Williams, davew@awcnet.org.

Puget Sound Stormwater and Land Use Work Sessions

The House Select Committee on Puget Sound will hold work sessions on stormwater and land use issues affecting the Puget Sound and have invited AWC to help provide speakers. The stormwater work session will take place on Tuesday, March 27 at 10 am, and the land use work session will take place Wednesday, March 28 at 1:30 pm.

[ previous article ] [ return to top ] [ next article ]