|
WASHINGTON
Revised Rules Proposed
The Washington state Department of Ecology (Ecology) has invited public comment, through December 31, 2004, on proposed changes to a regulation governing the types of financial assistance available to local governments to clean up toxic sites.
Ecology is revising the regulation because recent amendments to the Model Toxics Control Act (MTCA) expanded the types of cleanups that are eligible for grant funding to include cleaning up methamphetamine labs and derelict vessels.
The proposal also would officially define the loan program.
For the most part, the changes are administrative: establishing rules for grant programs recently authorized under MTCA, clarifying the rules that govern existing grant programs and the new loan program and making remedial actions conducted under federal Superfund orders eligible for grants.
“We want to do all we can to help the customers we work with,”
said Diane Singer, a grants manager for Ecology. “Although these changes
are basic, the clarifications will make funding more readily available to local
governments and communities affected by hazardous-waste contamination.”