Below is a Rule Proposal Notice regarding proposed amendments to Chapter 173-98 WAC (the Clean Water State Revolving Fund rule) and Chapter 173-95A WAC (the Centennial Clean Water Program rule). In addition, a PDF of the Rule Proposal Notice is below.
The Rule Proposal Notice contains information on the rulemaking for the two rules, including how to obtain documents, how to participate in the combined public hearing and webinar, how to submit comments, and how to receive updates.
If you have any questions about the process, please contact:
Daniel Thompson
Department of Ecology
Water Quality Program – Financial Management Section
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504-7600
Phone: 360-407-6510
Email: daniel.thompson@ecy.wa.gov
Rule Proposal Notice
Introduction
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) proposes to adopt amendments to Chapter 173-98 Washington Administrative Code (WAC), Uses and Limitations of the Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund and Chapter 173-95A WAC, Uses and Limitations of the Centennial Clean Water Program. The rule proposal will be published in the Washington State Register on May 3, 2017.
Chapter 173-98 WAC addresses requirements for Ecology’s administration of Washington State’s Water Pollution Control Revolving Fund (CWSRF) and the Water Pollution Control Revolving Administration Account. CWSRF provides low interest rate loans to public bodies for statewide, high-priority water quality projects.
Chapter 173-95A WAC addresses requirements for Ecology’s administration of the Centennial Clean Water Program (Centennial). Centennial provides grants and low interest rate loans to public bodies for statewide, high-priority water quality projects.
Proposed Amendments
Ecology proposes to amend the rules to:
- Address “housekeeping” issues.
- Provide more clarity.
- Provide more flexibility.
- Take advantage of new funding opportunities consistent with state and federal updates.
Expected Adoption Date
Ecology expects to adopt the amended rules by August 2, 2017.
Documents for Review and Comment
The following documents are available for review and comment:
- Proposed rule language.
- Determination of Nonsignificance.
To obtain these documents visit http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/ruledev/wac17398/1604ov.html or send an email request to daniel.thompson@ecy.wa.gov.
Public Hearing and Webinar
Ecology will hold a combined public hearing and webinar on May 31, 2017, at 1:00pm. The event will include a short presentation and a question and answer session followed by the formal public hearing.
The public hearing location is:
Department of Ecology
300 Desmond Drive
Lacey, WA 98503
Ecology is also offering the hearing via webinar. Webinars are an online meeting forum that you can attend from any computer using internet access. To join the webinar click on the following link for more information and instructions: https://wadis.webex.com/wadis/j.php?RGID=rcac981bd94bf44f68fee7cca7aacbe1f.
Submitting Comments
The comment period on the proposed amended rules and the Determination of Nonsignificance ends June 7, 2016. You can comment in the following ways:
- Testify or submit written comments at the public hearing or through the webinar.
- Submit your comments via e-Comments at http://ws.ecology.commentinput.com/?id=vM3e3.
- Mail your comments to:
Daniel Thompson
Department of Ecology
PO Box 47600
Olympia WA 98504-7600
Ecology’s Response to Comments
All of the comments received will become part of the official record. We will publish responses to comments in a document called a Concise Explanatory Statement (CES). The CES is required by the Administrative Procedure Act (RCW 34.05) and is available after the rule is adopted.
Receive Email Updates
To receive updates on the rulemaking process and other significant grants and loans program actions, please sign up for the Ecology’s Water Quality Program’s Grants and Loans ListServ at: http://listserv.wa.gov/cgi-bin/wa?A0=ECY-WQ-GRANTS-LOAN.