RCW 70.105E.060 Disposal of waste in unlined trenches—Investigation and cleanup of unlined trenches—Closure of mixed waste tank systems.

(1)(a) The department, within sixty days after December 2, 2004, shall order any site owner or operator utilizing landfills or burial grounds containing unlined soil trenches in which mixed wastes are reasonably believed by the department to have been disposed to:

(i) Cease disposal of all further wastes in unlined soil trenches or facilities within thirty days of the order;

(ii) Initiate an investigation to provide the department with an inventory based on actual characterization of all hazardous substances potentially disposed in unlined trenches;

(iii) Initiate an investigation of releases or potential releases of any hazardous substances that were potentially disposed in unlined trenches;

(iv) Prepare, or pay the costs of the department to prepare, pursuant to the provisions of chapters 70.105 and 70.105D RCW, a plan for waste retrieval, treatment, closure, and monitoring for the unlined soil trenches, which may include temporary caps pending full characterization and remediation, the schedule for which shall be based upon determination of requirements to prevent migration of wastes; and

(v) Install and maintain a groundwater and soil column monitoring system, within two years, which is in compliance with all requirements of chapter 70.105 RCW, this chapter, and RCRA, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6901 et seq., as amended.

(b) The department shall provide, by rule, for public notice, hearings, and comment on the scope of investigations and all actions necessary to fulfill the purposes of this section. Notice to the public for purposes of this section shall include a description of potential impacts to health or the environment from the facilities, and the potential for any state resources, or land areas, to be restricted from future use due to potential releases of hazardous substances from the site or facility.

(2) At any site with one or more land disposal facilities or units containing unlined trenches or pits, at which mixed wastes are stored or were disposed, any proposed expansion of such land disposal facility or unit, or application to permit new land disposal facilities at the same site, shall be considered to be an impermissible expansion of the existing units or facilities where:

(a) There is a reasonable basis to believe mixed or hazardous wastes are buried or stored that have not been fully characterized to conclusively determine that no mixed or hazardous wastes are present;

(b) A release of a hazardous substance has occurred, including but not limited to releases of radioactive or mixed wastes; or

(c) The department has information to indicate that there is a significant potential for a release of hazardous substances.

(3) Determinations and permit actions, pursuant to chapter 70.105 RCW or this chapter, relating to the closure of tank systems consisting of one or more interconnected tanks in which mixed wastes are currently, or were, stored, shall be made by the department only after consideration of the cumulative impacts of all tank residuals and leaks from such systems at the site pursuant to chapter 43.21C RCW. Actions may not be taken to close individual tanks, or which may prevent the retrieval of residual mixed wastes remaining in a tank, in any element of the tank system, or in the soil due to leaks from the tank system, prior to compliance with this section and determination of the quantity, nature, and potential impacts from such residuals or releases. In no event may the department allow the use of a landfill closure for mixed waste tank systems prior to all potentially effective and practicable actions having been taken to characterize, and remediate, releases and potential releases. The department may require research and development of technologies for characterization or retrieval pursuant to this section.

[2005 c 1 § 6 (Initiative Measure No. 297, approved November 2, 2004).]

NOTES:

Reviser's note: As to the constitutionality of this section, see note following chapter digest.