FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30, 2002

Water-quality permit fees increasing July 1

OLYMPIA--Annual permit fees are increasing on July 1 for those who hold wastewater- and stormwater-discharge permits in the state of Washington.

In addition, those who apply pesticides to waterways to kill mosquitoes, control "burrowing shrimp" on oyster beds, and control weeds in wetlands, shorelines and irrigation ditches will now pay a fee for the first time.

Last year, a federal appeals court ruled that those who apply pesticides to waterways are subject to requirements of the federal Clean Water Act. In the past, Ecology placed conditions on how pesticides were applied by issuing administrative orders.

The new rule increases the fees for facilities such as wastewater treatment plants, large industrial plants and dairies by 2.79 percent for fiscal year 2003 (July 2002 through June 2003) and 3.29 percent for fiscal year 2004.

The state's water-pollution law requires all permit holders to pay annual permit fees so Ecology can recover the costs of operating the wastewater-discharge permit program.

Fee increases must be in compliance with Initiative 601, which limits fee increases to no more than the fiscal growth factor determined by the state's Office of Financial Management.

Ecology held nine public workshops and two formal public hearings around the state to discuss and receive comments on the proposed amendments to the permit fee rule. Comments received were incorporated into the final draft proposal.

Facilities, pesticide applicators and others who want to know more about the permit fees can visit Ecology's Web site at http://www.ecy.wa.gov/programs/wq/permits/permit_fees/index.htm#FY2002

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