Pike introduces legislation to address storm water permitting
Rep. Liz Pike, R-Camas,has introduced three pieces of legislation to address storm water permitting and create equal environmental protection at a reduced regulatory cost.
The legislation triad was developed after Pike worked with Clark County Commissioners to identify ways to decrease regulation and encourage private sector growth. When she examined the existing storm water permitting process and costs, Pike realized the default storm water permits are burdensome and expensive.
“City and county government have no choice but to pass on the cost to job creators in Washington. It’s no wonder we are losing opportunities to have companies locate in the eighteenth District when business owners can go into Oregon and not have to pay these high regulatory costs,” Pike said. “These rules are putting our region at a competitive disadvantage, and further harming our rural economies.”
Her solution begins with the following bills.
- House Bill 1237 would create a storm water compliance pilot project which would allow counties to issue alternative compliance plans as long as the alternative satisfies the water quality requirements of the state and federal clean water act.
- House Bill 1235 would prioritize state funding in storm water control to projects required by the municipal storm water permits. Currently state funding is allocated to projects not mandated by the permits, leaving the entire regulatory cost burden on the municipalities.
- House Bill 1234 would delay the new storm water requirements in order to give multiple jurisdictions time to complete the judicial review of existing permits.
“Dealing with storm water regulations costs my district jobs. Out of work citizens shouldn’t be punished because they live in a place where it rains a lot,” Pike said. “These three bills will ultimately entice more businesses to our state, and get Washington citizens working again.”
HB 1235 and 1237 will receive a public hearing in the House Environment Committee on Wednesday, Jan. 30 at 1:30pm in House Hearing Room C on the first floor of the John L. O’Brien building at the Capitol Campus.
