Bill > HB1290

This bill amends the existing water pollution control law to require the Washington State Department of Ecology to offer a water quality trading program for certain National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) general permit holders who are discharging into waterbodies with a temperature total maximum daily load (TMDL) and are not currently in compliance with their permit terms. Specifically, when a permittee is not meeting their permit requirements for a temperature-impaired water body, the department must provide a watershed-based water quality trading program that helps the permittee come into compliance. The bill uniquely emphasizes offering incentives for improvements that address urban heat island effects or take place in the built environment. This approach provides a flexible, market-based mechanism for permittees to meet water quality standards by creating opportunities to offset their environmental impact through alternative compliance strategies. The bill builds upon existing state authority to administer water pollution control programs and expands the tools available to regulators and permit holders to manage water quality challenges, with a particular focus on addressing temperature-related issues in Washington's waterways.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://app.leg.wa.gov/billsummary?BillNumber=1290&Year=2025&Initiative=false