Rulemaking to amend chapter 173-305 WAC Hazardous Waste Fee Regulation
Agency
Ecology, Department of
Title of action
Rulemaking to amend chapter 173-305 WAC Hazardous Waste Fee Regulation
Date significant agency action was initiated
Wednesday, November 22, 2023
Category
Significant legislative rules
Brief description of significant agency actions for which the agency is initiating an environmental justice assessment.
The Washington State Department of Ecology (Ecology) plans to amend chapter 173-305 WAC, Hazardous Waste Fee Regulation. This rulemaking will focus on clarifying how we implement the Hazardous Waste Fee Regulation, including the Hazardous Waste Planning Fee (planning fee). We will also make updates throughout the chapter to reflect new statutory references and improve clarity.
The planning fee does not clarify how we calculate the fee for an individual waste stream that designates as both dangerous waste (DW) and extremely hazardous waste (EHW). This rulemaking will clarify how we calculate the planning fee for this type of waste stream. It will also better explain how we implement chapter 173-305 WAC by making the current language concise and easier to understand.
Improved clarity in this rule may help communities and individuals navigate complex administrative processes. In addition, clear and concise rules facilitate better compliance, streamline efficiency to government services, and enhance trust in the fairness of the regulations.
Methods for providing public comment for agency consideration as part of the environmental justice assessment.
Before we adopt the new rule, we plan to offer our stakeholders and the public at large an opportunity to participate in the rulemaking process by holding a formal public comment period. For the purposes of this assessment, we plan to follow a strategic outreach plan specifically directed at engaging communities located in areas characterized as overburdened using existing data and resources.
The rulemaking webpage will be updated to incorporate upcoming opportunities and methods to communicate with us before the rule is formally adopted. The public may also email us directly by sending comments to the resource mailbox, hwfeerule@ecy.wa.gov.
In May 2023, we held two informational webinars during which we described the purpose of this rulemaking and asked for initial feedback on this rule amendment.
Link to agency webpage where the action is posted.
