WAC 173-350-990 - Criteria for Inert Waste
Agendas and meeting notes from the advisory committee on section 990 for the WAC 173-350 rulemaking.
WAC 173-350-990 - Criteria for Inert Waste
Ecology staff lead: Dawn Marie Maurer
Work group members
| Name | Organization |
|---|---|
| Bruce Chattin | Washington Aggregates & Concrete Association |
| Andy Comstock | Jurisdictional Health Authorities - West Side |
| Chris Martin | WA Department of Ecology - WQ |
| John Bromley | WA Department of Natural Resources |
| Jennifer Hill | WA Department of Transportation |
| Zachary Fiorito | Inert Waste Landfill Operators |
Focus: Jurisdictional health authorities use the criteria for inert waste to determine if a waste qualifies for less stringent management standards. For instance, inert wastes qualify for piles standards exemptions, disposal in unlined landfills, and limited use as fill without a permit. These determinations are critical to protect human health and the environment, especially for water quality and fish health. Classification of a material can also affect management costs.
Some inert wastes are listed, including cured structural concrete, paving asphalt, brick, ceramics, glass, aluminum, and stainless steel. Non-listed wastes should have comparable physical characteristics and risks as the listed wastes. The criteria for inert waste set out the parameters that a waste must meet to demonstrate a threshold of low risk and physical durability. The Department of Natural Resources uses different criteria for its surface mining reclamation program. In some cases, both sets of standards may apply. The process for making a determination can be slow, further delaying projects and escalating costs.
A work group has been formed and is meeting with the goal of improving the efficiency and clarity of the classification process, while continuing to provide adequate levels of health and environmental protection. Please send questions to w2rrulemaking@ecy.wa.gov.
Update: Due in large part to the inert criteria stakeholder workgroup input, and to the work of the Soil and Sediment Criteria and Use workgroup (new section 235), Ecology has concluded that revising Section 990 is not the best approach. Instead we will propose to eliminate this section of WAC 173-350. Inert wastes will be identified in the definitions section, and disposal criteria will be addressed in the appropriate landfill standards. Impacted soils will be addressed in the new section 235.
Work group meetings and notes
April 29, 2015 10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Tacoma-Pierce County Health
July 30, 2014 1-4 p.m., Ecology Headquarters, Lacey
June 10, 2014 9-11 a.m., Ecology Headquarters, Lacey
April 23, 2014 1-4 p.m., Ecology Headquarters, Lacey