RCW 90.48.420
Water quality standards affected by forest practices—Department of ecology solely responsible for water quality standards—Forest practices rules—Adoption—Examination—Enforcement procedures.
(1) The department of ecology, pursuant to powers vested in it previously by chapter 90.48 RCW and consistent with the policies of said chapter and RCW 90.54.020(3), shall be solely responsible for establishing water quality standards for waters of the state. On or before January 1, 1975, the department of ecology shall examine existing rules containing water quality standards and other applicable rules of said department pertaining to waters of the state affected by nonpoint sources of pollution arising from forest practices and, when it appears appropriate to the department of ecology, modify said rules. In any such examination or modification the department of ecology shall consider such factors, among others, as uses of the receiving waters, diffusion, down-stream cooling, and reasonable transient and short-term effects resulting from forest practices.
Adoption of forest practices rules pertaining to water quality by the forest practices board shall be accomplished after reaching agreement with the director of the department or the director's designee on the board. Adoption shall be accomplished so that compliance with such forest practice[s] rules will achieve compliance with water pollution control laws.
(2) The department of ecology shall monitor water quality to determine whether revisions in such water quality standards or revisions in such forest practices rules are necessary to accomplish the foregoing result, and either adopt appropriate revisions to such water quality standards or propose appropriate revisions to such forest practices rules or both.
(3) Notwithstanding any other provisions of chapter 90.48 RCW or of the rules adopted thereunder, no permit system pertaining to nonpoint sources of pollution arising from forest practices shall be authorized, and no civil or criminal penalties shall be imposed with respect to any forest practices conducted in full compliance with the applicable provisions of RCW 76.09.010 through 76.09.280, forest practices rules, and any approvals or directives of the department of natural resources thereunder.
(4) Prior to the department of ecology taking action under statutes or rules relating to water quality, regarding violations of water quality standards arising from forest practices, the department of ecology shall notify the department of natural resources.
[ 1999 sp.s. c 4 § 1101; 1975 1st ex.s. c 200 § 13; 1974 ex.s. c 137 § 30.]
NOTES:
Part headings not law—1999 sp.s. c 4: See note following RCW 77.85.180.
Effective dates—1974 ex.s. c 137: See RCW 76.09.925.
Severability—1974 ex.s. c 137: See RCW 76.09.935.
Forest practices: Chapter 76.09 RCW.
Right of entry to administer this section: RCW 76.09.160.
Structure Revised Code of Washington
Title 90 - Water Rights—Environment
Chapter 90.48 - Water Pollution Control.
90.48.010 - Policy enunciated.
90.48.030 - Jurisdiction of department.
90.48.035 - Rule-making authority.
90.48.037 - Authority of department to bring enforcement actions.
90.48.039 - Hazardous substance remedial actions—Procedural requirements not applicable.
90.48.045 - Environmental excellence program agreements—Effect on chapter.
90.48.080 - Discharge of polluting matter in waters prohibited.
90.48.090 - Right of entry—Special inspection requirements for metals mining and milling operations.
90.48.100 - Request for assistance.
90.48.112 - Plan evaluation—Consideration of reclaimed water.
90.48.144 - Violations—Civil penalty—Procedure.
90.48.150 - Construction of chapter.
90.48.153 - Cooperation with federal government—Federal funds.
90.48.156 - Cooperation with other states and provinces—Interstate and state-provincial projects.
90.48.158 - Grants to public bodies authorized.
90.48.160 - Waste disposal permit—Required—Exemptions.
90.48.162 - Waste disposal permits required of counties, municipalities and public corporations.
90.48.215 - Upland finfish facilities—Waste discharge standards—Waste disposal permit.
90.48.230 - Application of administrative procedure law to rule making and adjudicative proceedings.
90.48.240 - Water pollution orders for conditions requiring immediate action—Appeal.
90.48.250 - Agreements or contracts to monitor waters and effluent discharge.
90.48.261 - Exercise of powers under RCW 90.48.260—Aquatic resource mitigation.
90.48.262 - Implementation of RCW 90.48.260—Permits for energy facilities—Rules and procedures.
90.48.270 - Sewage drainage basins—Authority of department to delineate and establish.
90.48.280 - Sewage drainage basins—Comprehensive plans for sewage drainage basins.
90.48.310 - Application of barley straw to waters of the state.
90.48.364 - Discharge of oil into waters of the state—Definitions.
90.48.366 - Discharge of oil into waters of the state—Compensation schedule.
90.48.367 - Discharge of oil into waters of the state—Assessment of compensation.
90.48.368 - Discharge of oil into waters of the state—Preassessment screening.
90.48.386 - Department of natural resources leases.
90.48.390 - Coastal protection fund—Established—Moneys credited to—Use.
90.48.400 - Coastal protection fund—Disbursal of moneys from.
90.48.422 - Water quality standards—Compliance methods—Department authority.
90.48.430 - Watershed restoration projects—Approval process—Waiver of public review.
90.48.445 - Aquatic noxious weed control—Water quality permits—Definition.
90.48.448 - Eurasian water milfoil—Pesticide 2,4-D application.
90.48.465 - Water discharge fees—Report to the legislature.
90.48.467 - Report to the legislature—Required information.
90.48.480 - Reduction of sewer overflows—Plans—Compliance schedule.
90.48.490 - Sewage treatment facilities—Plans to upgrade or construct.
90.48.495 - Water conservation measures to be considered in sewer plans.
90.48.530 - Construction projects involving fill material—Leaching test.
90.48.531 - Leaching tests—Identification—Report to the legislature.
90.48.540 - Use attainability analysis of water within federal reclamation project boundaries—Rules.
90.48.570 - Water quality data—Findings—Intent.
90.48.575 - Water quality data—Definitions.
90.48.580 - Water quality data—Credible data, information, literature.
90.48.585 - Water quality data—When credible.
90.48.590 - Water quality data—Falsified data—Penalty.
90.48.595 - On-site sewage disposal system repair and replacement—Loan and grant programs.
90.48.615 - Motorized or gravity siphon aquatic mining—Prohibited acts.