AWC Legislative Bulletin - Volume 30, No. 8
February 23, 2007  (Plain Text Version)

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In this issue:
What You Need to Know Now
From the Director: Legislature Approaches First Cutoff
Energy & Telecommunications
Environment & Water
General Local Government
Infrastructure, Transportation & Economic Development
Land Use & Housing
Law & Justice
Municipal Finance
Personnel & Labor Relations
Online Legislative Advocacy Tools
AWC Legislative Contacts & Officers

Environment & Water

NPDES Phase II Stormwater Permit Appeal by Cities

At least 32 cities in both western and eastern Washington have filed an appeal of portions of the NPDES Phase II stormwater permit. The appeal was filed before the state’s Pollution Control Hearings Board. In next week’s Bulletin, AWC will provide a summary of their appeal issues.

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

As the House version of this sweeping bill gets ready for consideration before the House Appropriations Committee, a re-crafted Senate version, SB 5372, is scheduled for hearing before the Senate Water, Energy and Telecommunications Committee on Friday, February 23 at 1:30 pm.

In tandem with the Washington State Association of Counties and Washington Public Ports Association, AWC will testify in support of the bill (as we did in the House) and will offer suggestions to improve and clarify certain portions. We have consistently communicated with the Governor’s office and bill sponsors in both chambers that updating and fine-tuning what is now called the Puget Sound Action Plan is a good idea.

There is support for creating a new entity to replace the current one and support for the new entity being given authority and direction to prioritize use of state and federal funded projects aimed at cleaning up the Sound. We do not support giving this entity new regulatory powers to oversee or manage local land use, shoreline protection, stormwater management or other similar sorts of programs.

In developing an Action Agenda to clean up the Sound by 2020, the new entity should look at ways to best integrate GMA and Shorelines planning with improving the Sound’s health. If the entity has suggestions on how to better accomplish this, they should be able to make recommendations, but not mandates, to local governments or the Legislature.

It appears both the Governor’s office and House and Senate prime sponsors of the legislation agree with and support the approach described above. We are continuing discussions on how best to articulate this approach in the legislation. Cities wanting more information or discussion are encouraged to contact Dave Williams, davew@awcnet.org.

Residential Yard Waste Burning in Small Cities (SB 6081)

AWC has been working with Sen. Linda Evans Parlette (R-Wenatchee) and representatives from a number of small cities to craft language to address the issue of outdoor yard waste burning in GMA-planning cities under 5,000 in population.

A new bill to accomplish this has been introduced as SB 6081. The language would extend allowing such burning until July 1, 2008 in all such cities except those located in King, Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap counties. A task force would be created to assess the issues around burning in these small and often isolated communities and would report findings to the 2008 Legislature. The Legislature would then address whether or not to extend the ban beyond July 2008.

AWC is working to get a hearing on this bill before the Senate Ways and Means Committee, where it has been referred. Impacted cities with members on the committee are encouraged to contact your members and urge support for SB 6081.

A list of cities that would benefit from SB 6081 can be found on AWC’s website at www.awcnet.org/documents/6081Cities.pdf. If you have trouble accessing this link, please contact AWC staff Keziah Apuzen at 1-800-562-8981 to request a faxed copy of the list.

Inventory and Inspection Program for On-Site Sewage Disposal Systems in Cities (SHB 1650)

As reported in last week’s Bulletin, a proposed substitute to HB 1650 has been crafted by the sponsor, Rep. Bill Fromhold (D-Vancouver), following consultations with AWC and other interests. The substitute bill would require the cities of Vancouver, Longview and cities with 31,000 or more in population east of the Cascades to conduct an inventory of properties that use septic systems and to establish an inspection program for those systems. Such work could be done by other entities, such as a county health district. We are consulting with the impacted cities as this bill moves forward.