Solid waste handling rule delayed

An update to the state’s solid waste handling rules that cities have been tracking for several years was expected to be finalized on April 25. But, due to a large volume of comments, that deadline has slipped as the agency works to consider all the comments provided.

The agency has until August 6 to file the final rule.

Early versions of this rule presented concerns for city public works departments. Initial proposed standards for temporary or permanent storage of soils from municipal projects required extensive new testing. Additionally, initial proposals required cleanup standards that were stricter (in some cases) than the state’s toxic cleanup standards under the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA). Later versions of the proposal still generated concerns from cities and other local governments based on treatment of street waste, engineered soils, temporary storage or movement of soils, and regulation of additional substances under MTCA standards.

These issues and more were brought up by local government commenters. You can review comments here. AWC will provide an update when the final rule is adopted, or if Ecology takes any additional actions.