Washington Environmental Law Handbook

by Fowler, Theda Braddock

• ISBN13: 9780865876668
• ISBN10: 0865876665
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-11-03
• Publisher: Government Institutes

Summary

Written for a general audience that includes attorneys, land developers, businesses, and government officials, this Fourth Edition provides a general overview of Washington's state and federal statutory and regulatory framework. The author, an experienced environmental attorney, addresses recent environmental rulings, case law developments, and such key topics as the Growth Management Act, the State Environmental Policy Act, coastal zone management, shoreline regulation, critical area regulation, oil spill regulation, underground storage tanks, air and water quality, and natural resources damages.

Table of Contents

Preface	xxix
About the Author	xxxi
Introduction	1	(10)
Environmental Law in Washington	1	(1)
Overview of Environmental Programs	1	(2)
Elements of the Environment	1	(1)
Pollution Control - Key Laws	2	(1)
Land and Natural Resources Management - Key Laws	2	(1)
Environmental Management - Key Laws	2	(1)
Overview of Washington Environmental Agencies	3	(8)
State Agencies	3	(1)
Department of Ecology (Ecology)	3	(1)
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)	4	(2)
Department of Fish and Wildlife	6	(1)
Department of Health	6	(1)
Other Key State Offices	7	(1)
State Regional Agencies	8	(1)
General Purpose Local Government: Cities and Counties	9	(1)
Special Purpose Regional or County-Wide Municipalities	9	(1)
Special Districts	10	(1)
Indian Tribes	10	(1)
The State Environmental Policy Act	11	(31)
Introduction	11	(2)
SEPA Overview	13	(2)
Avoiding Analysis under SEPA	15	(1)
Making the Threshold Determination	16	(8)
Lead Agency Determination	16	(2)
Definition of ``Action'' and Categorical Exemptions	18	(1)
Environmental Checklist	19	(1)
Threshold Determination	20	(2)
Determination of Nonsignificance (DNS)	22	(1)
Mitigated DNS	23	(1)
Determination of Significance (DS) and Scoping	23	(1)
The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS)	24	(6)
Content and Format	24	(2)
Social and Economic Impacts	26	(1)
Draft EIS, Public Comment and Timing	27	(1)
Legal Adequacy of the EIS	28	(1)
Using Existing Environmental Documents	29	(1)
Substantive Authority and Mitigation	30	(2)
Appeals	32	(10)
Appeal To Local Legislative Body	37	(1)
Agency Administrative Appeals	37	(2)
Judicial Appeals	39	(1)
Notice of Action	40	(1)
Attorneys' Fees	41	(1)
Growth Management	42	(21)
Introduction	42	(1)
Planning for Growth: An Overview of the Planning Requirements	43	(5)
Local Level Planning	43	(1)
Comprehensive Plans	43	(2)
Natural Resource Lands and Critical Areas	45	(1)
Regional Level Planning	45	(1)
County-Wide Planning Policies	46	(1)
Regional Transportation Planning	47	(1)
State Participation	47	(1)
Technical and Financial Assistance	47	(1)
Sanctions	48	(1)
Comprehensive Plans	48	(8)
GMA Goals	49	(1)
Plan Elements	50	(3)
Urban Growth Areas	53	(2)
Open Space Corridors	55	(1)
Public Facilities and Difficult-to-Site Facilities	55	(1)
Transmittal to State	55	(1)
Development Regulations	56	(1)
Public Participation	56	(1)
Appeals	56	(3)
Administrative Appeals: Hearings Boards	56	(1)
Matters Subject to Review	57	(1)
Finding of Noncompliance or Invalidity	58	(1)
Sanctions	58	(1)
Judicial Appeal	59	(1)
Relationship to Other Laws	59	(4)
State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA)	59	(1)
Shoreline Management Act (SMA)	59	(1)
Vesting	60	(3)
Shoreline and Coastal Zone Management	63	(33)
Introduction	63	(1)
Jurisdictional Reach of the Act	64	(5)
``Where:'' Geographical Reach of the Act	64	(1)
Shorelines and Shorelands	64	(1)
Lands Outside Shorelines and Shorelands	65	(1)
Federal and Indian Lands	66	(1)
``What'' Actions Subject to Regulation	67	(2)
Substantive Requirements: Policies and Programs	69	(6)
State Shoreline Policies	69	(1)
The Public Interest Test	69	(1)
Use Preferences and Priorities	70	(2)
Local Shoreline Management Master Programs	72	(1)
Content of Shoreline Management Master Programs	72	(1)
Approval and Amendment Process	72	(2)
Appeals of SMMPs or Amendments	74	(1)
Procedural Requirements: Shoreline Permit Process	75	(7)
Shoreline Permits With Conditions	75	(1)
Shoreline Conditional Use Permits	76	(1)
Shoreline Variance Permits	77	(1)
Permit Processing	77	(1)
Application	78	(1)
Notice	79	(1)
Local Hearings and Decisions	79	(1)
Ecology Review	80	(1)
SHB Appeal	80	(1)
Modification, Duration, and Extension of Permits	81	(1)
Appeals: Shorelines Hearings Board	82	(7)
Jurisdiction and Authority	82	(1)
Composition	83	(1)
Procedures	84	(1)
Who May Practice Before the SHB	84	(1)
Filing a Petition For Review	84	(1)
Prehearing Procedures	85	(1)
Scheduling Hearings and Presenting Motions	86	(1)
Conduct of Hearings and Rules of Evidence	87	(1)
Disposition of Contested Cases	88	(1)
Enforcement	89	(2)
Permit Rescission	89	(1)
Suits for Damages or Equitable Remedies	90	(1)
Enforcement Orders and Penalties	90	(1)
Coastal Zone Management Program	91	(5)
Jurisdiction of the Coastal Zone Management Act	91	(2)
The Washington Coastal Zone Management Program	93	(1)
Consistency Determination Procedure	94	(2)
Regulation of Development in Environmentally Sensitive Areas	96	(18)
Introduction	96	(1)
Regulations to Control Development in Wetlands and Aquatic Environments	96	(12)
Federal Regulations	97	(1)
CWA Section 404 (Dredge and Fill) Permits	97	(1)
Exemptions	98	(1)
Mitigation and Mitigation Banking	99	(1)
State Water Quality Certification	99	(1)
Nationwide Permits	100	(1)
Coastal Zone Management Act Consistency Determination	101	(1)
Other Federal Regulations	101	(1)
State Regulations	102	(1)
Wetlands Regulation Under the Growth Management Act	102	(2)
Regulation of Wetlands and other Aquatic Areas in the Shoreline Zone	104	(1)
Hydraulic Project Approvals (HPA)	104	(1)
Regulation Under The Forest Practices Act	105	(3)
Regulations to Prevent Flood Damage	108	(2)
Federal Programs	108	(1)
State Programs	108	(1)
State Management of Floodplains	108	(1)
State Regulation in Addition to Local Controls	109	(1)
Local Programs	109	(1)
Regulations to Protect Other Sensitive Areas	110	(4)
Geologically Hazardous Areas	111	(1)
Aquifer Recharge Zones and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Areas	112	(2)
Air Quality	114	(29)
Introduction	114	(1)
Sources of Law and Regulation	114	(1)
Regulatory Framework	115	(2)
State Implementation Plan (SIP)	115	(1)
National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)	115	(1)
Attainment and Nonattainment Areas	116	(1)
Regulatory Agencies	117	(1)
Registration and Operating Permits	118	(2)
Registration	118	(1)
Operating Permits	118	(2)
New and Modified Sources	120	(8)
Minor Source NSR	121	(2)
Major Source NSR	123	(1)
Key Terms	123	(2)
Prevention of Significant Deterioration (PSD)	125	(2)
Nonattainment Area NSR	127	(1)
Toxic and Hazardous Air Pollutants	128	(4)
Federal HAP Program	129	(2)
Washington TAP Rules	131	(1)
Emission Standards	132	(7)
General Standards	133	(2)
Standards With Specific Applicability	135	(4)
Enforcement and Appeals	139	(4)
State Enforcement	139	(2)
Federal Enforcement	141	(2)
Water Quality	143	(36)
Introduction	143	(1)
Agencies Responsible for Water Pollution Control	144	(4)
The Washington Department of Ecology	144	(1)
The Puget Sound Action Team (PSAT)	145	(2)
The Pollution Control Hearings Board (PCHB)	147	(1)
Regulation Of Water Pollution	148	(13)
Discharge Permits	148	(2)
NPDES Permit Program	150	(5)
State Waste Discharge Permit Program	155	(1)
General Permits	156	(1)
Combined Permit	157	(1)
Stormwater Permits	157	(1)
Discharges Associated With Industrial Activity	158	(3)
Discharges From Municipal Sewer Systems	161	(1)
How Permit Effluent Limitations are Derived	161	(6)
Technology-Based Effluent Limitations	162	(2)
Water Quality-Based Effluent Limitations	164	(1)
Regulation of Toxic Pollutants	164	(2)
Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL)	166	(1)
Sediment Management Standards	167	(2)
Ground Water Quality Standards	169	(1)
Permit Appeals	170	(2)
Enforcement	172	(7)
Agency Enforcement	172	(4)
Citizen Enforcement (Citizen Suit Actions)	176	(3)
Water Resources	179	(26)
Introduction	179	(1)
Surface Water Allocation: In General	179	(1)
Ground Water Allocation: In General	180	(1)
Allocation of Water: In Washington	180	(5)
Riparian Rights	181	(1)
Prior Appropriation Rights	182	(1)
Statutory Laws of Water Appropriation	183	(2)
Current Water Allocation System	185	(1)
Water Right Appropriation Process	185	(6)
Permitting System	185	(4)
Nature of Appropriative Rights	189	(1)
Water Right Registration System	190	(1)
Water Right Adjudication System	191	(1)
Transfer and Loss of Water Rights	192	(7)
Water Right Transfers	193	(2)
Loss of Water Rights	195	(2)
Beneficial Use Requirement	197	(2)
Water Reuse	199	(1)
The Reclaimed Water Act	199	(1)
Water Rights in Reclaimed Water	200	(1)
Federal and Indian Water Rights	200	(5)
Indian Treaty Rights	201	(1)
Reserved Rights	201	(1)
Indian Reserved Water Rights	202	(2)
Non-Indian Reserved Water Rights	204	(1)
McCarran Amendment Adjudications	204	(1)
Solid Waste Management	205	(23)
Introduction	205	(1)
Local Governments and Comprehensive Solid Waste Management Planning	205	(9)
Solid Waste Management Plans (SWMPs)	206	(4)
Planning Procedures	210	(1)
Legal Effect of Solid Waste Management Plans	211	(1)
Implementing Local Solid Waste Management Plans	211	(2)
Financing Solid Waste Management and Disposal	213	(1)
Regulation of Solid Waste Handling Facilities and Activities	214	(10)
General MFS Requirements	215	(8)
Permit Procedures	223	(1)
Appeals and Enforcement	223	(1)
Laws Affecting Solid Waste Generators---Homes, Offices and Businesses	224	(4)
Hazardous Waste Management (RCRA)	228	(28)
Introduction	228	(2)
Dangerous Waste Identification	230	(13)
Definition of Solid Waste	230	(3)
Definition of Dangerous Waste	233	(2)
Listed Wastes	235	(1)
Characteristic Wastes	236	(2)
Mixture and Derived-From Rules	238	(1)
``Contained-In'' Policy	239	(1)
State-Only Dangerous Wastes	240	(1)
Exclusions	241	(2)
Special Wastes	243	(1)
Generator Requirements	243	(3)
Generator Management Responsibilities	245	(1)
Transporter Requirements	246	(1)
Requirements for Owners and Operators of Treatment, Storage and Disposal Facilities (TSDs)	247	(7)
General Performance Standards	247	(1)
Permit Application Process	247	(1)
Existing Facilities	248	(1)
New Facilities	249	(1)
Siting Standards	249	(1)
Notice of Intent	249	(1)
Siting Restrictions	250	(1)
Closure and Post-Closure	251	(2)
Corrective Action	253	(1)
Enforcement and Penalties	254	(2)
Hazardous Waste Cleanup (MTCA)	256	(51)
Introduction	256	(1)
History of Washington Legislation and Regulations	256	(1)
Overview of Statutory Structure	257	(1)
Analysis of Statute	258	(12)
Policy Declarations	258	(1)
Definitions	258	(3)
Ecology's Powers and Duties	261	(2)
Liability Standards	263	(4)
Enforcement and Settlement Provisions	267	(3)
The Toxics Control Accounts	270	(1)
Overview of MTCA Regulations	270	(37)
Site Reports and Cleanup Decisions	272	(1)
Site Discovery and Reporting	272	(2)
Initial Investigation	274	(1)
Site Hazard Assessment	275	(1)
Hazardous Sites List	276	(1)
Biennial Program Report	277	(1)
State Remedial Investigation/Feasibility Study (RI/FS)	277	(3)
Selection of Cleanup Actions	280	(1)
Site Cleanup and Monitoring	281	(1)
Cleanup Actions	281	(2)
Compliance Monitoring Requirements	283	(1)
Periodic Review	284	(1)
Interim Actions	284	(1)
Administrative Procedures For Remedial Actions	285	(1)
Determination of PLP Status	285	(1)
Administrative Options For Remedial Actions	286	(2)
Consent Decrees	288	(2)
Agreed Orders	290	(1)
Enforcement Orders	291	(1)
Payment of Remedial Action Costs	292	(1)
Prospective Purchaser Agreements and Brownfields Redevelopment	292	(1)
Public Involvement	293	(1)
Public Notice and Participation	293	(2)
Regional Citizens' Advisory Committees	295	(1)
Cleanup Standards	295	(1)
Overview	295	(1)
Setting Cleanup Levels	296	(1)
Cleanup Standard Methods	297	(2)
Cleanup Standards For Ground Water, Surface Water, Soil, Air and Sediments	299	(2)
Identifying ``Points of Compliance''	301	(1)
Waiver of Cleanup Standards	301	(1)
Selecting a Cleanup Remedy	302	(1)
Cleanup Cost Considerations	303	(1)
General Provisions	303	(1)
Property Access	303	(1)
Worker Safety and Health	304	(1)
Sampling and Analysis Plans	305	(1)
Laboratory Analysis Procedures	305	(1)
General Submittal Requirements	305	(1)
Recordkeeping Requirements	306	(1)
Endangerment	306	(1)
Oil Spill Regulation and Natural Resource Damages	307	(33)
Introduction	307	(2)
Oil Spill Regulation	309	(20)
Financial Responsibility Requirements	309	(2)
Penalties for Failure to Meet Financial Responsibility Requirements	311	(1)
Contingency Planning Requirements	312	(3)
Parties Subject to the Contingency Planning Requirements: Facilities and Covered Vessels	315	(2)
Planning Deadlines	317	(1)
Plan Requirements	317	(1)
Agency Review and Plan Updates	318	(1)
Spill Response	319	(1)
Primary Response Contractor Standards	320	(1)
Spill Prevention Plans	320	(1)
Vessel Spill Prevention Plans	321	(1)
Facility Spill Prevention Plans	322	(1)
Penalties for Violating Planning Requirements	323	(2)
Facility Operation Standards	325	(1)
Oil Spill Liability	326	(1)
State and Private Causes of Action	326	(2)
State Oil Spill Response Account	328	(1)
Civil Penalties	328	(1)
Natural Resource Damages	329	(11)
State Water Pollution Control Act	329	(1)
Natural Resource Damages Provision	330	(1)
Natural Resources Defined	331	(1)
Pre-assessment Screening and Damage Assessment Process	331	(3)
Natural Resource Damages Computation Without Compensation Schedule	334	(1)
Natural Resource Damages Computation Using Compensation Schedule	335	(2)
Limits on the Use of Funds Recovered	337	(1)
Model Toxics Control Act (State Superfund)	337	(3)
Regulation of Underground Storage Tanks	340	(24)
Introduction	340	(1)
Federal UST Program	340	(1)
State UST Program	340	(1)
Leaking Tanks	341	(1)
Scope of the UST Program	341	(2)
What Is an Underground Storage Tank?	341	(1)
Exempt and Deferred Tanks	342	(1)
To Whom Do the UST Regulations Apply?	343	(1)
Permit Requirements	343	(2)
Obtaining and Renewing a Permit	343	(1)
Display of Permit	344	(1)
Revocation/Removal of Permit	345	(1)
Program Administration	345	(1)
Investigation and Access	345	(1)
Enforcement	346	(1)
Notification, Reporting and Recordkeeping	346	(2)
Notification Requirements	346	(1)
New UST Systems	346	(1)
Existing UST Systems	347	(1)
Emergency Replacement	347	(1)
Changes to UST System	347	(1)
Seller Disclosure	347	(1)
Reporting Requirements	348	(1)
Recordkeeping Requirements	348	(1)
UST Design and Performance Standards	348	(5)
Design Standards	349	(1)
New UST Systems	349	(1)
Upgrading Existing UST Systems	350	(1)
Deferred UST Systems	350	(1)
Operating Standards for All UST Systems	350	(1)
Spill and Overfill Control	350	(1)
Compatibility	351	(1)
Corrosion Protection	351	(1)
Repairs	351	(1)
Release Detection	352	(1)
Releases and Spills	353	(2)
What To Do If You Suspect a Release?	353	(1)
Report the Release	353	(1)
Investigate and Take Necessary Corrective Action	353	(1)
What Do You Do If There Is A Spill?	354	(1)
Contain and Cleanup	354	(1)
Take Corrective Action	354	(1)
Report the Spill	355	(1)
Closure Requirements	355	(2)
Permanent Closure	355	(1)
Temporary Closure	356	(1)
Previous Closure	357	(1)
Closure Records	357	(1)
Financial Responsibility Requirements for Petroleum USTs	357	(4)
Who Is Required to Demonstrate Financial Responsibility?	357	(1)
When?	358	(1)
To Cover What?	358	(1)
How Much?	358	(1)
Methods of Financial Assurance	359	(1)
Recordkeeping and Reporting Requirements	360	(1)
Reinsurance	361	(1)
UST Service Providers and Supervisors	361	(3)
UST Services Must be Performed by Certified UST Supervisors	361	(1)
Responsibilities of Certified UST Supervisors	362	(1)
Penalties	363	(1)
Environmental Considerations in Business Transactions	364	(35)
Introduction	364	(1)
Types of Real Property Likely to Involve Environmental Problems	364	(2)
Industrial Properties	364	(1)
Commercial Properties	365	(1)
Agricultural Land	365	(1)
Landfills	365	(1)
Environmentally Sensitive Areas	365	(1)
Personal Property (Equipment and Inventory)	365	(1)
Liability Concerns	366	(10)
Federal and State Superfunds	366	(1)
Liabilities of Purchasers and Sellers	367	(1)
Liabilities of Lenders	367	(2)
Liabilities of Landlords and Tenants	369	(1)
Statutory Exemptions from Liability	370	(3)
Other Environmental Laws	373	(1)
Environmental Management Laws	373	(2)
Laws Governing Real Estate Development in Environmentally Sensitive Areas	375	(1)
Special State Laws Governing Real Estate Transfers	375	(1)
Common Law Liability	376	(1)
Strategies for Minimizing Liability	376	(23)
Protecting Purchasers from Liability	378	(1)
Environmental Investigation	378	(2)
Contract Mechanisms	380	(2)
Prospective Purchaser Agreements	382	(4)
No Further Action Letters	386	(1)
Corporate Structuring to Minimize Third-Party and Off-Site Liabilities	387	(3)
Protecting Sellers From Liability	390	(1)
Environmental Investigation	390	(2)
Contract Mechanisms	392	(1)
Protecting Lenders From Liability	392	(1)
Environmental Investigation	392	(2)
Contract Mechanisms	394	(2)
Landlord's and Tenant's Protection from Liability	396	(1)
Environmental Investigation	396	(1)
Contract Mechanisms	397	(2)
Environmental Torts: Common Law and Other Remedies	399	(14)
Introduction	399	(1)
Nuisance	399	(4)
Elements of Cause of Action	399	(2)
Public and Private Nuisance	401	(1)
Recoverable Damages	401	(1)
Examples of Environmental Nuisance Cases	402	(1)
Trespass	403	(1)
Elements of Cause of Action	403	(1)
Recoverable Damages	403	(1)
Examples of Environmental Trespass Cases	404	(1)
Negligence	404	(1)
Strict Liability	405	(1)
Elements of Cause of Action	405	(1)
Recoverable Damages	406	(1)
Inverse Condemnation	406	(7)
Elements of Cause of Action	406	(1)
Nonregulatory Takings	407	(1)
Regulatory Takings	407	(4)
Recoverable Damages	411	(2)
Administrative Procedure & Judicial Review	413	(32)
Introduction	413	(1)
Administrative Procedure in Washington	413	(22)
Washington's APA: Scope and Application	413	(1)
Rule-making Proceedings	414	(1)
In General	414	(5)
Significant Legislative Rules	419	(2)
Emergency Rules and Amendments	421	(1)
Joint Administrative Rules Review Committee	422	(1)
Public Access to Agency Rules, Rules Coordinator	423	(1)
Interpretive and Policy Statements	424	(1)
Challenges to Rule-making Under the APA	425	(1)
Adjudicative Proceedings	426	(1)
In General	426	(3)
Procedures for Adjudicative Proceedings	429	(4)
Brief and Emergency Adjudicative Proceedings	433	(1)
Administrative Safeguards	434	(1)
Judicial Review of Agency Action	435	(10)
Judicial Review Under the APA	435	(1)
In General	435	(6)
Civil Enforcement of Agency Rules and Orders	441	(1)
Judicial Review of Actions by Local Agencies	442	(3)
Index	445