Lawmakers face familiar choices as Legislature girds for budget cuts
January 10, 2012
Local lawmakers returned to Olympia — and a familiar problem — as the Legislature reconvened Jan. 9, less than a month after a budget-cutting special session.
The sluggish economy means lower-than-expected revenues — and a $1.4 billion hole in the 2011-13 budget lawmakers crafted last year. The budget gap could reach $2 billion if lawmakers heed Gov. Chris Gregoire’s call to preserve state reserve dollars.
Legislators chipped almost $480 million from the total in December by cutting budgets at the state education agency — the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction — and the Department of Ecology. Officials also delayed payments to counties and school districts.
“All the easy stuff — if there was any easy stuff in the first place — has already been done,” said Rep. Larry Springer, a 45th Legislative District Democrat. “We’re cutting services that people are going to notice and miss.”
Local lawmakers — Springer’s district includes part of Sammamish — said residents could feel the latest cuts more keenly than past efforts to trim state spending.
Cascade Water Alliance outlines long-term regional water supply
January 3, 2012
Cascade Water Alliance leaders outlined a plan Dec. 30 to secure water for Issaquah and the region in the decades ahead.
The nonprofit organization purchases water from Seattle Public Utilities, but the water bought from the utility is due to start declining in 2024 as the Cascade Water Alliance switches to other sources. Then, in 2030, officials plan to start drawing water as needed from Lake Tapps in Pierce County.
The information is contained in the transmission and supply plan — a document outlining the water systems in alliance member jurisdictions and plans for the future. Residents can also weigh in, as the plan is open for public comment until Jan. 31.
The regional alliance includes the Sammamish Plateau Water and Sewer District, Issaquah and Bellevue, plus other Eastside and South King County cities and water districts. The agency serves about 400,000 residents and 22,000 businesses.
State’s recycling rate increases to highest level yet
December 20, 2011
Washington’s recycling rate increased to the highest level ever on record last year, reaching 49 percent.
The information comes from a report released Dec. 14 from the state Department of Ecology. Officials said Washington residents recycled more and tossed less in the trash.
The total amount of municipal waste recycled by state residents increased by more than 540,000 tons last year — up 14 percent from 2009. The total amount of waste disposed from households and businesses decreased through the recession.
The trend continued in 2010 as disposal dropped by about 65,000 tons, or 1 percent.
The statewide recycling goal — established in a 1989 state law — is 50 percent. The national average for recycling last year reached 34 percent.
Washington recycling rate increases to highest level yet
December 14, 2011
NEW — 11 a.m. Dec. 14, 2011
Washington’s recycling rate increased to the highest level ever on record last year, reaching 49 percent.
The information comes from a report released Wednesday from the state Department of Ecology. Officials said Washington residents recycled more and tossed less in the trash.
The total amount of municipal waste recycled by state residents increased by more than 540,000 tons last year — up 14 percent from 2009. The total amount of waste disposed from households and businesses decreased through the recession.
The trend continued in 2010 as disposal dropped by about 65,000 tons, or 1 percent.
“Reducing and recycling waste have economic, environmental and public health benefits for our state’s residents,” Laurie Davies, Waste 2 Resources Program manager for the Department of Ecology, said in a statement. “It protects our water, reduces our exposure to toxic chemicals which lowers health risks, and can build a clean, ‘green’ economy for Washington’s future.”
Sunset Materials Inc. fined $3,000 by Department of Ecology
November 29, 2011
Renton business Sunset Materials Inc. was fined $3,000 by the state Department of Ecology for failure to submit quarterly storm water sampling reports as required under the Industrial Stormwater General Permit for two quarters in 2010, and the first and second quarters of 2011.
The department issued more than $47,000 in penalties of $1,000 or more in the third quarter. The department works with thousands of businesses and individuals to ensure compliance with laws written to protect Washington’s air, land and water.
Penalties are issued in cases where noncompliance continues after the department has provided technical assistance or warnings, or for particularly serious violations.
Penalty amounts owed and collected are deposited in special accounts that pay for environmental restoration and enhancement projects; research and development; permitting and regulatory programs; and education and assistance.
City updates some storm water rules for developers in valley
November 15, 2011
City leaders have changed development rules for storm water in areas along the valley floor.
Under the revised code, developers do not need to build additional storm water detention ponds and facilities if removing impervious areas — such as buildings or pavement — is part of redevelopment. The earlier code required extra storm water detention for all redevelopment, so runoff matched predeveloped conditions.
City Council members acted after a consultant’s study determined the drainage systems in question — Tributary 0170, Pickering Ditch and East Lake Sammamish Tributary — remained stable and requiring additional storm water detention is not likely to benefit fish habitat.
The state Department of Ecology agreed, and allowed the city to make the exception.
Developers must still build storm water detention facilities for all impervious surfaces added in new construction. In addition, the requirements for storm water treatment for water quality remain the same.
City smoothes once-bumpy Central Park entrance
November 1, 2011
The cratered parking lot at Central Park’s popular artificial turf fields is gone, replaced by a special — and smoother — pavement to allow rainwater to percolate through the lot and into the ground.
Crews completed the 163-stall parking lot in late summer, and city officials gathered to open the space Sept. 26.
The parking lot upgrade is the latest addition to the area, called Pad 3. The city installed artificial turf, using a donation from the Issaquah Soccer Club and a state grant, and lights, using dollars left over from the turf installation, at the site in earlier phases.
State offers alternatives to burning leaves and yard waste
November 1, 2011
Fall means abundant fallen leaves and piles of other yard waste.
The state Department of Ecology is urging residents not to give in to the temptation to burn vegetation. In most areas, including Issaquah and rural King County, burning is regulated to protect people from breathing smoke and to prevent fires from spreading.
Smoke from burning leaves, grass, brush and tree needles can aggravate or contribute to asthma, emphysema, bronchitis and lung cancer. If left unattended, yard waste fires can spread out of control, damage property and threaten people.
Most cities and all urban growth areas do not allow residential outdoor burning. The state also bans burning garbage or using burn barrels across Washington.
Residents in rural areas should call local fire agencies before burning. People should also ask the regional Department of Ecology office or local clean air authority — the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency in King County — for burn permit requirements.
The agency recommends chipping, home composting or hauling yard waste to a composting facility as alternatives to burning.
Learn more about disposal of mercury-containing light bulbs
November 1, 2011
The state Department of Ecology is starting work to establish a program to collect, transport and recycle mercury-containing lights, such as fluorescent tubes and compact fluorescent bulbs.
State legislators passed the law during the 2010 legislative session. The bill established a producer-financed product stewardship program for mercury-containing bulbs.
Residents can participate in a webinar to learn about the key issues related to the rule. People interested in participating should go to www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/swfa/mercurylights.
The agency delayed the rule-making action last November because of Gov. Chris Gregoire’s executive order requiring agencies to suspend noncritical rule making.
State Department of Ecology is updating weed permits
October 18, 2011
The state Department of Ecology is in the process of updating a permit needed for the use of herbicides used to control weeds around or near water.
The permit requires that specific actions be taken to protect lakes, rivers, wetlands and marine waters when herbicides are used near those waterways. The permits help state and local governments manage noxious plants, such as spartina and loosestrife.
A different permit, the Aquatic Plant Algae Management Permit, covers the treatment of weeds actually within water.
Comments will be accepted until 5 p.m. Nov. 18.
Email comments to kathy.harnel@ecy.wa.gov. Comments must contain the sender’s name and postal address. Send written comments to Kathy Harnel, Washington State Department of Ecology, P.O. Box 47600, Olympia WA, 98504. Permits are online at www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/pesticides.
