Resources

SEPA Review Process:

Washington Research Council, “A Newly Expanded SEPA Threatens Washington’s Competitiveness”
June 2014

A policy brief by the Washington Research Council outlines how the Department of Ecology and others have recently undertaken SEPA reviews that expand the scope of review beyond state borders to an unprecedented extent. The report concludes that by expanding SEPA in these cases, Washington risks its competitiveness by making the process more uncertain for future projects.

Association of Washington Business, “SEPA changes: ‘The ramifications would be very, very substantial’
January 2014

Features comments by Dick Settle, a longtime law professor and attorney with Foster Pepper PLLC, before the Senate Trade & Economic Development Committee where he discusses consequences of an expanded SEPA process.

 

Harbor Maintenance Tax Reform:

Port of Tacoma, “Harbor Maintenance Tax” Fact Sheet
March 2014

Port of Tacoma has published a one pager on its position to support reforming the Harbor Maintenance Tax to ensure the United States tax policy does not disadvantage ports and maritime cargo, and to provide greater equity for harbor maintenance tax donor ports through expanded use of the harbor maintenance revenues.

Seattle Chamber of Commerce, “Letter in Support Of Harbor Maintenance Tax Reform
August 2013

On August 12, the Chamber joined more than 40 businesses and organizations across Washington state in sending a letter to the Washington Congressional delegation in strong support of newly announced legislation to reform the Harbor Maintenance Tax (HMT). The letter – organized by the Chamber’s special program, the Washington Council on International Trade – called for Washington’s Congressional delegation to take a leadership role in the successful passage of the legislation, which will be jointly introduced by U.S. Senator Patty Murray and U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell when Congress reconvenes in September.

 

Water Quality Standards:

HDR Engineering, Inc., “HDR Report to the NWPPA: “Increasing the Fish Consumption Rate: Report of Fiscal Impact to Select Northwest Pulp & Paper Mills”
December 2013

The study, commissioned by the Association of Washington Business, the Association of Washington Cities and the Washington State Association of Counties, calls attention to the fact that the ‘Fish consumption’ issue could mean $200-a-month sewer bills — business, local-government organizations sound alarm as Ecology seeks standards no one can meet.