RCW 70.105D - 1

Chapter 70.105D RCW

Hazardous waste cleanup — model toxics 

control act

Chapter Listing

RCW Sections

70.105D.010 Declaration of policy.

70.105D.020 Definitions.

70.105D.030 Department's powers and duties.

70.105D.040 Standard of liability -- Settlement.

70.105D.050 Enforcement.

70.105D.055 Lien authority.

70.105D.060 Timing of review.

70.105D.070 Toxics control accounts.

70.105D.080 Private right of action -- Remedial action costs.

70.105D.090 Remedial actions -- Exemption from procedural requirements.

70.105D.100 Grants to local governments -- Statement of environmental benefits --

Development of outcome-focused performance measures.

70.105D.110 Releases of hazardous substances -- Notice -- Exemptions.

70.105D.120 Puget Sound partners.

70.105D.130 Cleanup settlement account -- Reporting requirements.

70.105D.900 Short title -- 1989 c 2.

70.105D.905 Captions -- 1989 c 2.

70.105D.910 Construction -- 1989 c 2.

70.105D.915 Existing agreements -- 1989 c 2.

70.105D.920 Effective date -- 1989 c 2.

70.105D.921 Severability -- 1989 c 2.

Notes:

Environmental certification programs -- Fees -- Rules -- Liability: RCW 43.21A.175. 

70.105D.010

Declaration of policy.
RCW 70.105D - 2

(1) Each person has a fundamental and inalienable right to a healthful environment, and each person has a 

responsibility to preserve and enhance that right. The beneficial stewardship of the land, air, and waters of the state is 

a solemn obligation of the present generation for the benefit of future generations.

 (2) A healthful environment is now threatened by the irresponsible use and disposal of hazardous substances. 

There are hundreds of hazardous waste sites in this state, and more will be created if current waste practices 

continue. Hazardous waste sites threaten the state's water resources, including those used for public drinking water. 

Many of our municipal landfills are current or potential hazardous waste sites and present serious threats to human 

health and environment. The costs of eliminating these threats in many cases are beyond the financial means of our 

local governments and ratepayers. The main purpose of chapter 2, Laws of 1989 is to raise sufficient funds to clean 

up all hazardous waste sites and to prevent the creation of future hazards due to improper disposal of toxic wastes 

into the state's land and waters.

 (3) Many farmers and small business owners who have followed the law with respect to their uses of pesticides 

and other chemicals nonetheless may face devastating economic consequences because their uses have 

contaminated the environment or the water supplies of their neighbors. With a source of funds, the state may assist 

these farmers and business owners, as well as those persons who sustain damages, such as the loss of their 

drinking water supplies, as a result of the contamination.

 (4) It is in the public's interest to efficiently use our finite land base, to integrate our land use planning policies with 

our clean-up policies, and to clean up and reuse contaminated industrial properties in order to minimize industrial 

development pressures on undeveloped land and to make clean land available for future social use.

 (5) Because it is often difficult or impossible to allocate responsibility among persons liable for hazardous waste 

sites and because it is essential that sites be cleaned up well and expeditiously, each responsible person should be 

liable jointly and severally.

 (6) Because releases of hazardous substances can adversely affect the health and welfare of the public, the 

environment, and property values, it is in the public interest that affected communities be notified of where releases of 

hazardous substances have occurred and what is being done to clean them up. 

[2002 c 288 § 1; 1994 c 254 § 1; 1989 c 2 § 1 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

Notes:

 Severability -- 2002 c 288: "If any provision of this act or its application to any 

person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the 

provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [2002 c 288 § 5.] 

70.105D.020

Definitions.

(1) "Agreed order" means an order issued by the department under this chapter with which the potentially liable 

person receiving the order agrees to comply. An agreed order may be used to require or approve any cleanup or 

other remedial actions but it is not a settlement under RCW 70.105D.040(4) and shall not contain a covenant not to 

sue, or provide protection from claims for contribution, or provide eligibility for public funding of remedial actions 

under RCW 70.105D.070(2)(d)(xi).

 (2) "Department" means the department of ecology.

 (3) "Director" means the director of ecology or the director's designee.

 (4) "Environmental covenant" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 64.70.020.
RCW 70.105D - 3

 (5) "Facility" means (a) any building, structure, installation, equipment, pipe or pipeline (including any pipe into a 

sewer or publicly owned treatment works), well, pit, pond, lagoon, impoundment, ditch, landfill, storage container, 

motor vehicle, rolling stock, vessel, or aircraft, or (b) any site or area where a hazardous substance, other than a 

consumer product in consumer use, has been deposited, stored, disposed of, or placed, or otherwise come to be 

located.

 (6) "Federal cleanup law" means the federal comprehensive environmental response, compensation, and liability 

act of 1980, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601 et seq., as amended by Public Law 99-499.

 (7)(a) "Fiduciary" means a person acting for the benefit of another party as a bona fide trustee; executor; 

administrator; custodian; guardian of estates or guardian ad litem; receiver; conservator; committee of estates of 

incapacitated persons; trustee in bankruptcy; trustee, under an indenture agreement, trust agreement, lease, or 

similar financing agreement, for debt securities, certificates of interest or certificates of participation in debt securities, 

or other forms of indebtedness as to which the trustee is not, in the capacity of trustee, the lender. Except as provided 

in subsection (17)(b)(iii) of this section, the liability of a fiduciary under this chapter shall not exceed the assets held in 

the fiduciary capacity.

 (b) "Fiduciary" does not mean:

 (i) A person acting as a fiduciary with respect to a trust or other fiduciary estate that was organized for the primary 

purpose of, or is engaged in, actively carrying on a trade or business for profit, unless the trust or other fiduciary 

estate was created as part of, or to facilitate, one or more estate plans or because of the incapacity of a natural 

person;

 (ii) A person who acquires ownership or control of a facility with the objective purpose of avoiding liability of the 

person or any other person. It is prima facie evidence that the fiduciary acquired ownership or control of the facility to 

avoid liability if the facility is the only substantial asset in the fiduciary estate at the time the facility became subject to 

the fiduciary estate;

 (iii) A person who acts in a capacity other than that of a fiduciary or in a beneficiary capacity and in that capacity 

directly or indirectly benefits from a trust or fiduciary relationship;

 (iv) A person who is a beneficiary and fiduciary with respect to the same fiduciary estate, and who while acting as 

a fiduciary receives benefits that exceed customary or reasonable compensation, and incidental benefits permitted 

under applicable law;

 (v) A person who is a fiduciary and receives benefits that substantially exceed customary or reasonable 

compensation, and incidental benefits permitted under applicable law; or

 (vi) A person who acts in the capacity of trustee of state or federal lands or resources.

 (8) "Fiduciary capacity" means the capacity of a person holding title to a facility, or otherwise having control of an 

interest in the facility pursuant to the exercise of the responsibilities of the person as a fiduciary.

 (9) "Foreclosure and its equivalents" means purchase at a foreclosure sale, acquisition, or assignment of title in 

lieu of foreclosure, termination of a lease, or other repossession, acquisition of a right to title or possession, an 

agreement in satisfaction of the obligation, or any other comparable formal or informal manner, whether pursuant to 

law or under warranties, covenants, conditions, representations, or promises from the borrower, by which the holder 

acquires title to or possession of a facility securing a loan or other obligation.

 (10) "Hazardous substance" means:

 (a) Any dangerous or extremely hazardous waste as defined in *RCW 70.105.010 (5) and (6), or any dangerous or 

extremely dangerous waste designated by rule pursuant to chapter 70.105 RCW;

 (b) Any hazardous substance as defined in *RCW 70.105.010(14) or any hazardous substance as defined by rule 

pursuant to chapter 70.105 RCW;

 (c) Any substance that, on March 1, 1989, is a hazardous substance under section 101(14) of the federal cleanup 

law, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9601(14);

 (d) Petroleum or petroleum products; and
RCW 70.105D - 4

 (e) Any substance or category of substances, including solid waste decomposition products, determined by the 

director by rule to present a threat to human health or the environment if released into the environment.

 The term hazardous substance does not include any of the following when contained in an underground storage 

tank from which there is not a release: Crude oil or any fraction thereof or petroleum, if the tank is in compliance with 

all applicable federal, state, and local law.

 (11) "Holder" means a person who holds indicia of ownership primarily to protect a security interest. A holder 

includes the initial holder such as the loan originator, any subsequent holder such as a successor-in-interest or 

subsequent purchaser of the security interest on the secondary market, a guarantor of an obligation, surety, or any 

other person who holds indicia of ownership primarily to protect a security interest, or a receiver, court-appointed 

trustee, or other person who acts on behalf or for the benefit of a holder. A holder can be a public or privately owned 

financial institution, receiver, conservator, loan guarantor, or other similar persons that loan money or guarantee 

repayment of a loan. Holders typically are banks or savings and loan institutions but may also include others such as 

insurance companies, pension funds, or private individuals that engage in loaning of money or credit.

 (12) "Independent remedial actions" means remedial actions conducted without department oversight or approval, 

and not under an order, agreed order, or consent decree.

 (13) "Indicia of ownership" means evidence of a security interest, evidence of an interest in a security interest, or 

evidence of an interest in a facility securing a loan or other obligation, including any legal or equitable title to a facility 

acquired incident to foreclosure and its equivalents. Evidence of such interests includes, mortgages, deeds of trust, 

sellers interest in a real estate contract, liens, surety bonds, and guarantees of obligations, title held pursuant to a 

lease financing transaction in which the lessor does not select initially the leased facility, or legal or equitable title 

obtained pursuant to foreclosure and their equivalents. Evidence of such interests also includes assignments, 

pledges, or other rights to or other forms of encumbrance against the facility that are held primarily to protect a 

security interest.

 (14) "Industrial properties" means properties that are or have been characterized by, or are to be committed to, 

traditional industrial uses such as processing or manufacturing of materials, marine terminal and transportation areas 

and facilities, fabrication, assembly, treatment, or distribution of manufactured products, or storage of bulk materials, 

that are either:

 (a) Zoned for industrial use by a city or county conducting land use planning under chapter 36.70A RCW; or

 (b) For counties not planning under chapter 36.70A RCW and the cities within them, zoned for industrial use and 

adjacent to properties currently used or designated for industrial purposes.

 (15) "Institutional controls" means measures undertaken to limit or prohibit activities that may interfere with the 

integrity of a remedial action or result in exposure to or migration of hazardous substances at a site. "Institutional 

controls" include environmental covenants.

 (16) "Operating a facility primarily to protect a security interest" occurs when all of the following are met: (a) 

Operating the facility where the borrower has defaulted on the loan or otherwise breached the security agreement; (b) 

operating the facility to preserve the value of the facility as an ongoing business; (c) the operation is being done in 

anticipation of a sale, transfer, or assignment of the facility; and (d) the operation is being done primarily to protect a 

security interest. Operating a facility for longer than one year prior to foreclosure or its equivalents shall be presumed 

to be operating the facility for other than to protect a security interest.

 (17) "Owner or operator" means:

 (a) Any person with any ownership interest in the facility or who exercises any control over the facility; or

 (b) In the case of an abandoned facility, any person who had owned, or operated, or exercised control over the 

facility any time before its abandonment;

 The term does not include:

 (i) An agency of the state or unit of local government which acquired ownership or control through a drug forfeiture 

action under RCW 69.50.505, or involuntarily through bankruptcy, tax delinquency, abandonment, or other 

circumstances in which the government involuntarily acquires title. This exclusion does not apply to an agency of the 
RCW 70.105D - 5

state or unit of local government which has caused or contributed to the release or threatened release of a hazardous 

substance from the facility;

 (ii) A person who, without participating in the management of a facility, holds indicia of ownership primarily to 

protect the person's security interest in the facility. Holders after foreclosure and its equivalent and holders who 

engage in any of the activities identified in subsection (18)(e) through (g) of this section shall not lose this exemption 

provided the holder complies with all of the following:

 (A) The holder properly maintains the environmental compliance measures already in place at the facility;

 (B) The holder complies with the reporting requirements in the rules adopted under this chapter;

 (C) The holder complies with any order issued to the holder by the department to abate an imminent or substantial 

endangerment;

 (D) The holder allows the department or potentially liable persons under an order, agreed order, or settlement 

agreement under this chapter access to the facility to conduct remedial actions and does not impede the conduct of 

such remedial actions;

 (E) Any remedial actions conducted by the holder are in compliance with any preexisting requirements identified 

by the department, or, if the department has not identified such requirements for the facility, the remedial actions are 

conducted consistent with the rules adopted under this chapter; and

 (F) The holder does not exacerbate an existing release. The exemption in this subsection (17)(b)(ii) does not apply 

to holders who cause or contribute to a new release or threatened release or who are otherwise liable under RCW 

70.105D.040(1) (b), (c), (d), and (e); provided, however, that a holder shall not lose this exemption if it establishes 

that any such new release has been remediated according to the requirements of this chapter and that any 

hazardous substances remaining at the facility after remediation of the new release are divisible from such new 

release;

 (iii) A fiduciary in his, her, or its personal or individual capacity. This exemption does not preclude a claim against 

the assets of the estate or trust administered by the fiduciary or against a nonemployee agent or independent 

contractor retained by a fiduciary. This exemption also does not apply to the extent that a person is liable under this 

chapter independently of the person's ownership as a fiduciary or for actions taken in a fiduciary capacity which 

cause or contribute to a new release or exacerbate an existing release of hazardous substances. This exemption 

applies provided that, to the extent of the fiduciary's powers granted by law or by the applicable governing instrument 

granting fiduciary powers, the fiduciary complies with all of the following:

 (A) The fiduciary properly maintains the environmental compliance measures already in place at the facility;

 (B) The fiduciary complies with the reporting requirements in the rules adopted under this chapter;

 (C) The fiduciary complies with any order issued to the fiduciary by the department to abate an imminent or 

substantial endangerment;

 (D) The fiduciary allows the department or potentially liable persons under an order, agreed order, or settlement 

agreement under this chapter access to the facility to conduct remedial actions and does not impede the conduct of 

such remedial actions;

 (E) Any remedial actions conducted by the fiduciary are in compliance with any preexisting requirements identified 

by the department, or, if the department has not identified such requirements for the facility, the remedial actions are 

conducted consistent with the rules adopted under this chapter; and

 (F) The fiduciary does not exacerbate an existing release.

 The exemption in this subsection (17)(b)(iii) does not apply to fiduciaries who cause or contribute to a new release 

or threatened release or who are otherwise liable under RCW 70.105D.040(1) (b), (c), (d), and (e); provided however, 

that a fiduciary shall not lose this exemption if it establishes that any such new release has been remediated 

according to the requirements of this chapter and that any hazardous substances remaining at the facility after 

remediation of the new release are divisible from such new release. The exemption in this subsection (17)(b)(iii) also 

does not apply where the fiduciary's powers to comply with this subsection (17)(b)(iii) are limited by a governing 

instrument created with the objective purpose of avoiding liability under this chapter or of avoiding compliance with 
RCW 70.105D - 6

this chapter; or

 (iv) Any person who has any ownership interest in, operates, or exercises control over real property where a 

hazardous substance has come to be located solely as a result of migration of the hazardous substance to the real 

property through the groundwater from a source off the property, if:

 (A) The person can demonstrate that the hazardous substance has not been used, placed, managed, or otherwise 

handled on the property in a manner likely to cause or contribute to a release of the hazardous substance that has 

migrated onto the property;

 (B) The person has not caused or contributed to the release of the hazardous substance;

 (C) The person does not engage in activities that damage or interfere with the operation of remedial actions 

installed on the person's property or engage in activities that result in exposure of humans or the environment to the 

contaminated groundwater that has migrated onto the property;

 (D) If requested, the person allows the department, potentially liable persons who are subject to an order, agreed 

order, or consent decree, and the authorized employees, agents, or contractors of each, access to the property to 

conduct remedial actions required by the department. The person may attempt to negotiate an access agreement 

before allowing access; and

 (E) Legal withdrawal of groundwater does not disqualify a person from the exemption in this subsection (17)(b)(iv).

 (18) "Participation in management" means exercising decision-making control over the borrower's operation of the 

facility, environmental compliance, or assuming or manifesting responsibility for the overall management of the 

enterprise encompassing the day-to-day decision making of the enterprise.

 The term does not include any of the following: (a) A holder with the mere capacity or ability to influence, or the 

unexercised right to control facility operations; (b) a holder who conducts or requires a borrower to conduct an 

environmental audit or an environmental site assessment at the facility for which indicia of ownership is held; (c) a 

holder who requires a borrower to come into compliance with any applicable laws or regulations at the facility for 

which indicia of ownership is held; (d) a holder who requires a borrower to conduct remedial actions including setting 

minimum requirements, but does not otherwise control or manage the borrower's remedial actions or the scope of the 

borrower's remedial actions except to prepare a facility for sale, transfer, or assignment; (e) a holder who engages in 

workout or policing activities primarily to protect the holder's security interest in the facility; (f) a holder who prepares a 

facility for sale, transfer, or assignment or requires a borrower to prepare a facility for sale, transfer, or assignment; 

(g) a holder who operates a facility primarily to protect a security interest, or requires a borrower to continue to 

operate, a facility primarily to protect a security interest; and (h) a prospective holder who, as a condition of becoming 

a holder, requires an owner or operator to conduct an environmental audit, conduct an environmental site 

assessment, come into compliance with any applicable laws or regulations, or conduct remedial actions prior to 

holding a security interest is not participating in the management of the facility.

 (19) "Person" means an individual, firm, corporation, association, partnership, consortium, joint venture, 

commercial entity, state government agency, unit of local government, federal government agency, or Indian tribe.

 (20) "Policing activities" means actions the holder takes to ensure that the borrower complies with the terms of the 

loan or security interest or actions the holder takes or requires the borrower to take to maintain the value of the 

security. Policing activities include: Requiring the borrower to conduct remedial actions at the facility during the term 

of the security interest; requiring the borrower to comply or come into compliance with applicable federal, state, and 

local environmental and other laws, regulations, and permits during the term of the security interest; securing or 

exercising authority to monitor or inspect the facility including on-site inspections, or to monitor or inspect the 

borrower's business or financial condition during the term of the security interest; or taking other actions necessary to 

adequately police the loan or security interest such as requiring a borrower to comply with any warranties, covenants, 

conditions, representations, or promises from the borrower.

 (21) "Potentially liable person" means any person whom the department finds, based on credible evidence, to be 

liable under RCW 70.105D.040. The department shall give notice to any such person and allow an opportunity for 

comment before making the finding, unless an emergency requires otherwise.

 (22) "Prepare a facility for sale, transfer, or assignment" means to secure access to the facility; perform routine 

maintenance on the facility; remove inventory, equipment, or structures; properly maintain environmental compliance 

measures already in place at the facility; conduct remedial actions to clean up releases at the facility; or to perform 
RCW 70.105D - 7

other similar activities intended to preserve the value of the facility where the borrower has defaulted on the loan or 

otherwise breached the security agreement or after foreclosure and its equivalents and in anticipation of a pending 

sale, transfer, or assignment, primarily to protect the holder's security interest in the facility. A holder can prepare a 

facility for sale, transfer, or assignment for up to one year prior to foreclosure and its equivalents and still stay within 

the security interest exemption in subsection (17)(b)(ii) of this section.

 (23) "Primarily to protect a security interest" means the indicia of ownership is held primarily for the purpose of 

securing payment or performance of an obligation. The term does not include indicia of ownership held primarily for 

investment purposes nor indicia of ownership held primarily for purposes other than as protection for a security 

interest. A holder may have other, secondary reasons, for maintaining indicia of ownership, but the primary reason 

must be for protection of a security interest. Holding indicia of ownership after foreclosure or its equivalents for longer 

than five years shall be considered to be holding the indicia of ownership for purposes other than primarily to protect 

a security interest. For facilities that have been acquired through foreclosure or its equivalents prior to July 23, 1995, 

this five-year period shall begin as of July 23, 1995.

 (24) "Public notice" means, at a minimum, adequate notice mailed to all persons who have made timely request of 

the department and to persons residing in the potentially affected vicinity of the proposed action; mailed to 

appropriate news media; published in the newspaper of largest circulation in the city or county of the proposed action; 

and opportunity for interested persons to comment.

 (25) "Release" means any intentional or unintentional entry of any hazardous substance into the environment, 

including but not limited to the abandonment or disposal of containers of hazardous substances.

 (26) "Remedy" or "remedial action" means any action or expenditure consistent with the purposes of this chapter 

to identify, eliminate, or minimize any threat or potential threat posed by hazardous substances to human health or 

the environment including any investigative and monitoring activities with respect to any release or threatened 

release of a hazardous substance and any health assessments or health effects studies conducted in order to 

determine the risk or potential risk to human health.

 (27) "Security interest" means an interest in a facility created or established for the purpose of securing a loan or 

other obligation. Security interests include deeds of trusts, sellers interest in a real estate contract, liens, legal, or 

equitable title to a facility acquired incident to foreclosure and its equivalents, and title pursuant to lease financing 

transactions. Security interests may also arise from transactions such as sale and leasebacks, conditional sales, 

installment sales, trust receipt transactions, certain assignments, factoring agreements, accounts receivable financing 

arrangements, easements, and consignments, if the transaction creates or establishes an interest in a facility for the 

purpose of securing a loan or other obligation.

 (28) "Workout activities" means those actions by which a holder, at any time prior to foreclosure and its 

equivalents, seeks to prevent, cure, or mitigate a default by the borrower or obligor; or to preserve, or prevent the 

diminution of, the value of the security. Workout activities include: Restructuring or renegotiating the terms of the 

security interest; requiring payment of additional rent or interest; exercising forbearance; requiring or exercising rights 

pursuant to an assignment of accounts or other amounts owed to an obligor; requiring or exercising rights pursuant to 

an escrow agreement pertaining to amounts owed to an obligor; providing specific or general financial or other 

advice, suggestions, counseling, or guidance; and exercising any right or remedy the holder is entitled to by law or 

under any warranties, covenants, conditions, representations, or promises from the borrower. 

[2007 c 104 § 18; 2005 c 191 § 1; 1998 c 6 § 1; 1997 c 406 § 2; 1995 c 70 § 1; 1994 c 254 § 2; 1989 c 2 § 2 (Initiative Measure No. 97, 

approved November 8, 1988).]

Notes:

 *Reviser's note: Due to the alphabetization of RCW 70.105.010 pursuant to RCW 

1.08.015(2)(k), subsections (5), (6), and (14) were changed to subsections (1), (7), and 

(10) respectively. 

 Application -- Construction -- Severability -- 2007 c 104: See RCW 64.70.015

and 64.70.900. 
RCW 70.105D - 8

70.105D.030

Department's powers and duties.

(1) The department may exercise the following powers in addition to any other powers granted by law:

 (a) Investigate, provide for investigating, or require potentially liable persons to investigate any releases or 

threatened releases of hazardous substances, including but not limited to inspecting, sampling, or testing to 

determine the nature or extent of any release or threatened release. If there is a reasonable basis to believe that a 

release or threatened release of a hazardous substance may exist, the department's authorized employees, agents, 

or contractors may enter upon any property and conduct investigations. The department shall give reasonable notice 

before entering property unless an emergency prevents such notice. The department may by subpoena require the 

attendance or testimony of witnesses and the production of documents or other information that the department 

deems necessary;

 (b) Conduct, provide for conducting, or require potentially liable persons to conduct remedial actions (including 

investigations under (a) of this subsection) to remedy releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances. In 

carrying out such powers, the department's authorized employees, agents, or contractors may enter upon property. 

The department shall give reasonable notice before entering property unless an emergency prevents such notice. In 

conducting, providing for, or requiring remedial action, the department shall give preference to permanent solutions to 

the maximum extent practicable and shall provide for or require adequate monitoring to ensure the effectiveness of 

the remedial action;

 (c) Indemnify contractors retained by the department for carrying out investigations and remedial actions, but not 

for any contractor's reckless or willful misconduct;

 (d) Carry out all state programs authorized under the federal cleanup law and the federal resource, conservation, 

and recovery act, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 6901 et seq., as amended;

 (e) Classify substances as hazardous substances for purposes of RCW 70.105D.020 and classify substances and 

products as hazardous substances for purposes of RCW 82.21.020(1);

 (f) Issue orders or enter into consent decrees or agreed orders that include, or issue written opinions under (i) of 

this subsection that may be conditioned upon, environmental covenants where necessary to protect human health 

and the environment from a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance from a facility. Prior to 

establishing an environmental covenant under this subsection, the department shall consult with and seek comment 

from a city or county department with land use planning authority for real property subject to the environmental 

covenant;

 (g) Enforce the application of permanent and effective institutional controls that are necessary for a remedial 

action to be protective of human health and the environment and the notification requirements established in RCW 

70.105D.110, and impose penalties for violations of that section consistent with RCW 70.105D.050;

 (h) Require holders to conduct remedial actions necessary to abate an imminent or substantial endangerment 

pursuant to RCW 70.105D.020(17)(b)(ii)(C);

 (i) Provide informal advice and assistance to persons regarding the administrative and technical requirements of 

this chapter. This may include site-specific advice to persons who are conducting or otherwise interested in 

independent remedial actions. Any such advice or assistance shall be advisory only, and shall not be binding on the 

department. As a part of providing this advice and assistance for independent remedial actions, the department may 

prepare written opinions regarding whether the independent remedial actions or proposals for those actions meet the 

substantive requirements of this chapter or whether the department believes further remedial action is necessary at 

the facility. Nothing in this chapter may be construed to preclude the department from issuing a written opinion on 

whether further remedial action is necessary at any portion of the real property located within a facility, even if further 

remedial action is still necessary elsewhere at the same facility. Such a written opinion on a portion of a facility must 

also provide an opinion on the status of the facility as a whole. The department may collect, from persons requesting 

advice and assistance, the costs incurred by the department in providing such advice and assistance; however, the 
RCW 70.105D - 9

department shall, where appropriate, waive collection of costs in order to provide an appropriate level of technical 

assistance in support of public participation. The state, the department, and officers and employees of the state are 

immune from all liability, and no cause of action of any nature may arise from any act or omission in providing, or 

failing to provide, informal advice and assistance; and

 (j) Take any other actions necessary to carry out the provisions of this chapter, including the power to adopt rules 

under chapter 34.05 RCW.

 (2) The department shall immediately implement all provisions of this chapter to the maximum extent practicable, 

including investigative and remedial actions where appropriate. The department shall adopt, and thereafter enforce, 

rules under chapter 34.05 RCW to:

 (a) Provide for public participation, including at least (i) public notice of the development of investigative plans or 

remedial plans for releases or threatened releases and (ii) concurrent public notice of all compliance orders, agreed 

orders, enforcement orders, or notices of violation;

 (b) Establish a hazard ranking system for hazardous waste sites;

 (c) Provide for requiring the reporting by an owner or operator of releases of hazardous substances to the 

environment that may be a threat to human health or the environment within ninety days of discovery, including such 

exemptions from reporting as the department deems appropriate, however this requirement shall not modify any 

existing requirements provided for under other laws;

 (d) Establish reasonable deadlines not to exceed ninety days for initiating an investigation of a hazardous waste 

site after the department receives notice or otherwise receives information that the site may pose a threat to human 

health or the environment and other reasonable deadlines for remedying releases or threatened releases at the site;

 (e) Publish and periodically update minimum cleanup standards for remedial actions at least as stringent as the 

cleanup standards under section 121 of the federal cleanup law, 42 U.S.C. Sec. 9621, and at least as stringent as all 

applicable state and federal laws, including health-based standards under state and federal law; and

 (f) Apply industrial clean-up standards at industrial properties. Rules adopted under this subsection shall ensure 

that industrial properties cleaned up to industrial standards cannot be converted to nonindustrial uses without 

approval from the department. The department may require that a property cleaned up to industrial standards is 

cleaned up to a more stringent applicable standard as a condition of conversion to a nonindustrial use. Industrial 

clean-up standards may not be applied to industrial properties where hazardous substances remaining at the 

property after remedial action pose a threat to human health or the environment in adjacent nonindustrial areas.

 (3) To achieve and protect the state's long-term ecological health, the department shall prioritize sufficient funding 

to clean up hazardous waste sites and prevent the creation of future hazards due to improper disposal of toxic 

wastes, and create financing tools to clean up large-scale hazardous waste sites requiring multiyear commitments. 

To effectively monitor toxic accounts expenditures, the department shall develop a comprehensive ten-year financing 

report that identifies long-term remedial action project costs, tracks expenses, and projects future needs.

 (4) Before December 20th of each even-numbered year, the department shall:

 (a) Develop a comprehensive ten-year financing report in coordination with all local governments with clean-up 

responsibilities that identifies the projected biennial hazardous waste site remedial action needs that are eligible for 

funding from the local toxics control account;

 (b) Work with local governments to develop working capital reserves to be incorporated in the ten-year financing 

report;

 (c) Identify the projected remedial action needs for orphaned, abandoned, and other clean-up sites that are eligible 

for funding from the state toxics control account;

 (d) Project the remedial action need, cost, revenue, and any recommended working capital reserve estimate to the 

next biennium's long-term remedial action needs from both the local toxics control account and the state toxics 

control account, and submit this information to the appropriate standing fiscal and environmental committees of the 

senate and house of representatives. This submittal must also include a ranked list of such remedial action projects 

for both accounts; and
RCW 70.105D - 10

 (e) Provide the legislature and the public each year with an accounting of the department's activities supported by 

appropriations from the state and local toxics control accounts, including a list of known hazardous waste sites and 

their hazard rankings, actions taken and planned at each site, how the department is meeting its waste management 

priorities under RCW 70.105.150, and all funds expended under this chapter.

 (5) The department shall establish a program to identify potential hazardous waste sites and to encourage 

persons to provide information about hazardous waste sites.

 (6) For all facilities where an environmental covenant has been required under subsection (1)(f) of this section, 

including all facilities where the department has required an environmental covenant under an order, agreed order, or 

consent decree, or as a condition of a written opinion issued under the authority of subsection (1)(i) of this section, 

the department shall periodically review the environmental covenant for effectiveness. Except as otherwise provided 

in (c) of this subsection, the department shall conduct a review at least once every five years after an environmental 

covenant is recorded.

 (a) The review shall consist of, at a minimum:

 (i) A review of the title of the real property subject to the environmental covenant to determine whether the 

environmental covenant was properly recorded and, if applicable, amended or terminated;

 (ii) A physical inspection of the real property subject to the environmental covenant to determine compliance with 

the environmental covenant, including whether any development or redevelopment of the real property has violated 

the terms of the environmental covenant; and

 (iii) A review of the effectiveness of the environmental covenant in limiting or prohibiting activities that may 

interfere with the integrity of the remedial action or that may result in exposure to or migration of hazardous 

substances. This shall include a review of available monitoring data.

 (b) If an environmental covenant has been amended or terminated without proper authority, or if the terms of an 

environmental covenant have been violated, or if the environmental covenant is no longer effective in limiting or 

prohibiting activities that may interfere with the integrity of the remedial action or that may result in exposure to or 

migration of hazardous substances, then the department shall take any and all appropriate actions necessary to 

ensure compliance with the environmental covenant and the policies and requirements of this chapter.

 (c) For facilities where an environmental covenant required by the department under subsection (1)(f) of this 

section was required before July 1, 2007, the department shall:

 (i) Enter all required information about the environmental covenant into the registry established under RCW 

64.70.120 by June 30, 2008;

 (ii) For those facilities where more than five years has elapsed since the environmental covenant was required and 

the department has yet to conduct a review, conduct an initial review according to the following schedule:

 (A) By December 30, 2008, fifty facilities;

 (B) By June 30, 2009, fifty additional facilities; and

 (C) By June 30, 2010, the remainder of the facilities;

 (iii) Once this initial review has been completed, conduct subsequent reviews at least once every five years. 

[2009 c 560 § 10. Prior: 2007 c 446 § 1; 2007 c 225 § 1; 2007 c 104 § 19; 2002 c 288 § 3; 2001 c 291 § 401; 1997 c 406 § 3; 1995 c 70 § 2; 

prior: 1994 c 257 § 11; 1994 c 254 § 3; 1989 c 2 § 3 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

Notes:

 Intent -- Effective date -- Disposition of property and funds --

Assignment/delegation of contractual rights or duties -- 2009 c 560: See notes 

following RCW 18.06.080. 
RCW 70.105D - 11

 Application -- Construction -- Severability -- 2007 c 104: See RCW 64.70.015

and 64.70.900. 

 Effective date -- 2002 c 288 §§ 2-4: See note following RCW 70.105D.110. 

 Severability -- 2002 c 288: See note following RCW 70.105D.010. 

 Part headings not law -- Effective date -- 2001 c 291: See notes following RCW

43.20A.360. 

 Severability -- 1994 c 257: See note following RCW 36.70A.270. 

70.105D.040

Standard of liability — Settlement.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (3) of this section, the following persons are liable with respect to a facility:

 (a) The owner or operator of the facility;

 (b) Any person who owned or operated the facility at the time of disposal or release of the hazardous substances;

 (c) Any person who owned or possessed a hazardous substance and who by contract, agreement, or otherwise 

arranged for disposal or treatment of the hazardous substance at the facility, or arranged with a transporter for 

transport for disposal or treatment of the hazardous substances at the facility, or otherwise generated hazardous 

wastes disposed of or treated at the facility;

 (d) Any person (i) who accepts or accepted any hazardous substance for transport to a disposal, treatment, or 

other facility selected by such person from which there is a release or a threatened release for which remedial action 

is required, unless such facility, at the time of disposal or treatment, could legally receive such substance; or (ii) who 

accepts a hazardous substance for transport to such a facility and has reasonable grounds to believe that such 

facility is not operated in accordance with chapter 70.105 RCW; and

 (e) Any person who both sells a hazardous substance and is responsible for written instructions for its use if (i) the 

substance is used according to the instructions and (ii) the use constitutes a release for which remedial action is 

required at the facility.

 (2) Each person who is liable under this section is strictly liable, jointly and severally, for all remedial action costs 

and for all natural resource damages resulting from the releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances. 

The attorney general, at the request of the department, is empowered to recover all costs and damages from persons 

liable therefor.

 (3) The following persons are not liable under this section:

 (a) Any person who can establish that the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance for which the 

person would be otherwise responsible was caused solely by:

 (i) An act of God;

 (ii) An act of war; or

 (iii) An act or omission of a third party (including but not limited to a trespasser) other than (A) an employee or 
RCW 70.105D - 12

agent of the person asserting the defense, or (B) any person whose act or omission occurs in connection with a 

contractual relationship existing, directly or indirectly, with the person asserting this defense to liability. This defense 

only applies where the person asserting the defense has exercised the utmost care with respect to the hazardous 

substance, the foreseeable acts or omissions of the third party, and the foreseeable consequences of those acts or 

omissions;

 (b) Any person who is an owner, past owner, or purchaser of a facility and who can establish by a preponderance 

of the evidence that at the time the facility was acquired by the person, the person had no knowledge or reason to 

know that any hazardous substance, the release or threatened release of which has resulted in or contributed to the 

need for the remedial action, was released or disposed of on, in, or at the facility. This subsection (b) is limited as 

follows:

 (i) To establish that a person had no reason to know, the person must have undertaken, at the time of acquisition, 

all appropriate inquiry into the previous ownership and uses of the property, consistent with good commercial or 

customary practice in an effort to minimize liability. Any court interpreting this subsection (b) shall take into account 

any specialized knowledge or experience on the part of the person, the relationship of the purchase price to the value 

of the property if uncontaminated, commonly known or reasonably ascertainable information about the property, the 

obviousness of the presence or likely presence of contamination at the property, and the ability to detect such 

contamination by appropriate inspection;

 (ii) The defense contained in this subsection (b) is not available to any person who had actual knowledge of the 

release or threatened release of a hazardous substance when the person owned the real property and who 

subsequently transferred ownership of the property without first disclosing such knowledge to the transferee;

 (iii) The defense contained in this subsection (b) is not available to any person who, by any act or omission, 

caused or contributed to the release or threatened release of a hazardous substance at the facility;

 (c) Any natural person who uses a hazardous substance lawfully and without negligence for any personal or 

domestic purpose in or near a dwelling or accessory structure when that person is: (i) A resident of the dwelling; (ii) a 

person who, without compensation, assists the resident in the use of the substance; or (iii) a person who is employed 

by the resident, but who is not an independent contractor;

 (d) Any person who, for the purpose of growing food crops, applies pesticides or fertilizers without negligence and 

in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations.

 (4) There may be no settlement by the state with any person potentially liable under this chapter except in 

accordance with this section.

 (a) The attorney general may agree to a settlement with any potentially liable person only if the department finds, 

after public notice and any required hearing, that the proposed settlement would lead to a more expeditious cleanup 

of hazardous substances in compliance with cleanup standards under RCW 70.105D.030(2)(e) and with any remedial 

orders issued by the department. Whenever practicable and in the public interest, the attorney general may expedite 

such a settlement with persons whose contribution is insignificant in amount and toxicity. A hearing shall be required 

only if at least ten persons request one or if the department determines a hearing is necessary.

 (b) A settlement agreement under this section shall be entered as a consent decree issued by a court of 

competent jurisdiction.

 (c) A settlement agreement may contain a covenant not to sue only of a scope commensurate with the settlement 

agreement in favor of any person with whom the attorney general has settled under this section. Any covenant not to 

sue shall contain a reopener clause which requires the court to amend the covenant not to sue if factors not known at 

the time of entry of the settlement agreement are discovered and present a previously unknown threat to human 

health or the environment.

 (d) A party who has resolved its liability to the state under this section shall not be liable for claims for contribution 

regarding matters addressed in the settlement. The settlement does not discharge any of the other liable parties but it 

reduces the total potential liability of the others to the state by the amount of the settlement.

 (e) If the state has entered into a consent decree with an owner or operator under this section, the state shall not 

enforce this chapter against any owner or operator who is a successor in interest to the settling party unless under 

the terms of the consent decree the state could enforce against the settling party, if:
RCW 70.105D - 13

 (i) The successor owner or operator is liable with respect to the facility solely due to that person's ownership 

interest or operator status acquired as a successor in interest to the owner or operator with whom the state has 

entered into a consent decree; and

 (ii) The stay of enforcement under this subsection does not apply if the consent decree was based on 

circumstances unique to the settling party that do not exist with regard to the successor in interest, such as financial 

hardship. For consent decrees entered into before July 27, 1997, at the request of a settling party or a potential 

successor owner or operator, the attorney general shall issue a written opinion on whether a consent decree contains 

such unique circumstances. For all other consent decrees, such unique circumstances shall be specified in the 

consent decree.

 (f) Any person who is not subject to enforcement by the state under (e) of this subsection is not liable for claims for 

contribution regarding matters addressed in the settlement.

 (5)(a) In addition to the settlement authority provided under subsection (4) of this section, the attorney general 

may agree to a settlement with a person not currently liable for remedial action at a facility who proposes to purchase, 

redevelop, or reuse the facility, provided that:

 (i) The settlement will yield substantial new resources to facilitate cleanup;

 (ii) The settlement will expedite remedial action consistent with the rules adopted under this chapter; and

 (iii) Based on available information, the department determines that the redevelopment or reuse of the facility is 

not likely to contribute to the existing release or threatened release, interfere with remedial actions that may be 

needed at the site, or increase health risks to persons at or in the vicinity of the site.

 (b) The legislature recognizes that the state does not have adequate resources to participate in all property 

transactions involving contaminated property. The primary purpose of this subsection (5) is to promote the cleanup 

and reuse of vacant or abandoned commercial or industrial contaminated property. The attorney general and the 

department may give priority to settlements that will provide a substantial public benefit, including, but not limited to 

the reuse of a vacant or abandoned manufacturing or industrial facility, or the development of a facility by a 

governmental entity to address an important public purpose.

 (6) Nothing in this chapter affects or modifies in any way any person's right to seek or obtain relief under other 

statutes or under common law, including but not limited to damages for injury or loss resulting from a release or 

threatened release of a hazardous substance. No settlement by the department or remedial action ordered by a court 

or the department affects any person's right to obtain a remedy under common law or other statutes. 

[1997 c 406 § 4; 1994 c 254 § 4; 1989 c 2 § 4 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

70.105D.050

Enforcement.

(1) With respect to any release, or threatened release, for which the department does not conduct or contract for 

conducting remedial action and for which the department believes remedial action is in the public interest, the director 

shall issue orders or agreed orders requiring potentially liable persons to provide the remedial action. Any liable 

person who refuses, without sufficient cause, to comply with an order or agreed order of the director is liable in an 

action brought by the attorney general for:

 (a) Up to three times the amount of any costs incurred by the state as a result of the party's refusal to comply; and

 (b) A civil penalty of up to twenty-five thousand dollars for each day the party refuses to comply.

The treble damages and civil penalty under this subsection apply to all recovery actions filed on or after March 1, 

1989.

 (2) Any person who incurs costs complying with an order issued under subsection (1) of this section may petition 
RCW 70.105D - 14

the department for reimbursement of those costs. If the department refuses to grant reimbursement, the person may 

within thirty days thereafter file suit and recover costs by proving that he or she was not a liable person under RCW 

70.105D.040 and that the costs incurred were reasonable.

 (3) The attorney general shall seek, by filing an action if necessary, to recover the amounts spent by the 

department for investigative and remedial actions and orders, and agreed orders, including amounts spent prior to 

March 1, 1989.

 (4) The attorney general may bring an action to secure such relief as is necessary to protect human health and the 

environment under this chapter.

 (5)(a) Any person may commence a civil action to compel the department to perform any nondiscretionary duty 

under this chapter. At least thirty days before commencing the action, the person must give notice of intent to sue, 

unless a substantial endangerment exists. The court may award attorneys' fees and other costs to the prevailing party 

in the action.

 (b) Civil actions under this section and RCW 70.105D.060 may be brought in the superior court of Thurston county 

or of the county in which the release or threatened release exists.

 (6) Any person who fails to provide notification of releases consistent with RCW 70.105D.110 or who submits false 

information is liable in an action brought by the attorney general for a civil penalty of up to five thousand dollars per 

day for each day the party refuses to comply.

 (7) Any person who owns real property or lender holding a mortgage on real property that is subject to a lien filed 

under RCW 70.105D.055 may petition the department to have the lien removed or the amount of the lien reduced. If, 

after consideration of the petition and the information supporting the petition, the department decides to deny the 

request, the person may, within ninety days after receipt of the department's denial, file suit for removal or reduction 

of the lien. The person is entitled to removal of a lien filed under RCW 70.105D.055(2)(a) if they can prove by a 

preponderance of the evidence that the person is not a liable party under RCW 70.105D.040. The person is entitled 

to a reduction of the amount of the lien if they can prove by a preponderance of the evidence:

 (a) For liens filed under RCW 70.105D.055(2)(a), the amount of the lien exceeds the remedial action costs the 

department incurred related to cleanup of the real property; and

 (b) For liens filed under RCW 70.105D.055(2)(c), the amount of the lien exceeds the remedial action costs the 

department incurred related to cleanup of the real property or exceeds the increase of the fair market value of the real 

property solely attributable to the remedial action conducted by the department. 

[2005 c 211 § 2; 2002 c 288 § 4; 1994 c 257 § 12; 1989 c 2 § 5 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

Notes:

 Effective date -- 2002 c 288 §§ 2-4: See note following RCW 70.105D.110. 

 Severability -- 2002 c 288: See note following RCW 70.105D.010. 

 Severability -- 1994 c 257: See note following RCW 36.70A.270. 

70.105D.055

Lien authority.

(1) It is in the public interest for the department to recover remedial action costs incurred in discharging its 

responsibility under this chapter, as these recovered funds can then be applied to the cleanup of other facilities. Thus, 
RCW 70.105D - 15

in addition to other cost-recovery mechanisms provided under this chapter, this section is intended to facilitate the 

recovery of state funds spent on remedial actions by providing the department with lien authority. This will also 

prevent a facility owner or mortgagee from gaining a financial windfall from increased land value resulting from 

department-conducted remedial actions at the expense of the state taxpayers.

 (2) If the state of Washington incurs remedial action costs relating to a remedial action of real property, and those 

remedial action costs are unrecovered by the state of Washington, the department may file a lien against that real 

property.

 (a) Except as provided in (c) of this subsection, liens filed under this section shall have priority in rank over all 

other privileges, liens, monetary encumbrances, or other security interests affecting the real property, whenever 

incurred, filed, or recorded, except for the following liens:

 (i) Local and special district property tax assessments; and

 (ii) Mortgage liens recorded before liens or notices of intent to conduct remedial actions are recorded under this 

section.

 (b) Liens filed pursuant to (a) and (c) of this subsection shall not exceed the remedial action costs incurred by the 

state.

 (c)(i) If the real property for which the department has incurred remedial action costs is abandoned, the 

department may choose to limit the amount of the lien to the increase in the fair market value of the real property that 

is attributable to a remedial action conducted by the department. The increase in fair market value shall be 

determined by subtracting the county assessor's value of the real property for the most recent year prior to remedial 

action being initiated from the value of the real property after remedial action. The value of the real property after 

remedial action shall be determined by the bona fide purchase price of the real property or by a real estate appraiser 

retained by the department. Liens limited in this way have priority in rank over all other privileges, liens, monetary 

encumbrances, or other security interests affecting the real property, whenever incurred, filed, or recorded.

 (ii) For the purposes of this subsection, "abandoned" means there has not been significant business activity on the 

real property for three years or property taxes owed on the real property are three years in arrears prior to the 

department incurring costs attributable to this lien.

 (d) The department shall, when notifying potentially liable persons of their potential liability under RCW 

70.105D.040, include a notice stating that if the department incurs remedial action costs relating to the remediation of 

real property and the costs are not recovered by the department, the department may file a lien against that real 

property under this section.

 (e) Except for emergency remedial actions, the department must provide notice to the following persons before 

initiating remedial actions conducted by persons under contract to the department on real property on which a lien 

may be filed under this section:

 (i) The real property owner;

 (ii) Mortgagees;

 (iii) Lienholders of record;

 (iv) Persons known to the department to be conducting remedial actions at the facility at the time of such notice; 

and

 (v) Persons known to the department to be under contract to conduct remedial actions at the facility at the time of 

such notice.

 For emergency remedial actions, this notice shall be provided within thirty days after initiation of the emergency 

remedial actions.

 (f) The department may record a copy of the notice in (e) of this subsection, along with a legal description of the 

property on which the remedial action will take place, with the county auditor in the county where the real property is 

located. If the department subsequently files a lien, the effective date of the lien will be the date this notice was 

recorded.
RCW 70.105D - 16

 (3) Before filing a lien under this section, the department shall give the owner of real property on which the lien is 

to be filed and mortgagees and lienholders of record a notice of its intent to file a lien:

 (a) The notice required under this subsection (3) must be sent by certified mail to the real property owner and 

mortgagees of record at the addresses listed in the recorded documents. If the real property owner is unknown or if a 

mailed notice is returned as undeliverable, the department shall provide notice by posting a legal notice in the 

newspaper of largest circulation in the county [in which] the site is located. The notice shall provide:

 (i) A statement of the purpose of the lien;

 (ii) A brief description of the real property to be affected by the lien;

 (iii) A statement of the remedial action costs incurred by the state related to the real property affected by the lien;

 (iv) A brief statement of facts showing probable cause that the real property is the subject of the remedial action 

costs incurred by the department; and

 (v) The time period following service or other notice during which any recipient of the notice whose legal rights 

may be affected by the lien may comment on the notice.

 (b) Any comments on the notice must be received by the department on or before thirty days following service or 

other provision of the notice of intent to file a lien.

 (c) If no comments are received by the department, the lien may be filed on the real property immediately.

 (d) If the department receives any comments on the lien, the department shall determine if there is probable cause 

for filing the certificate of lien. If the department determines there is probable cause, the department may file the lien. 

Any further challenge to the lien may only occur at the times specified under RCW 70.105D.060.

 (e) If the department has reason to believe that exigent circumstances require the filing of a lien prior to giving 

notice under this subsection (3), or prior to the expiration of the time period for comments, the department may file 

the lien immediately. For the purposes of this subsection (3), exigent circumstances include, but are not limited to, an 

imminent bankruptcy filing by the real property owner, or the imminent transfer or sale of the real property subject to 

lien by the real property owner, or both.

 (4) A lien filed under this section is effective when a statement of lien is filed with the county auditor in the county 

where the real property is located. The statement of lien must include a description of the real property subject to lien 

and the amount of the lien.

 (5) Unless the department determines it is in the public interest to remove the lien, the lien continues until the 

liability for the remedial action costs have been satisfied through sale of the real property, foreclosure, or other means 

agreed to by the department. Any action for foreclosure of the lien shall be brought by the attorney general in a civil 

action in the court having jurisdiction and in the manner prescribed for the judicial foreclosure of a mortgage.

 (6)(a) This section does not apply to real property owned by a local government or special purpose district or real 

property used solely for residential purposes and consisting of four residential units or less at the time the lien is 

recorded. This limitation does not apply to illegal drug manufacturing and storage sites under chapter 64.44 RCW.

 (b) If the real property owner has consented to the department filing a lien on the real property, then only 

subsection (3)(a)(i) through (iii) of this section requiring notice to mortgagees and lienholders of record apply. 

[2005 c 211 § 1.]

70.105D.060

Timing of review.
RCW 70.105D - 17

The department's investigative and remedial decisions under RCW 70.105D.030 and 70.105D.050, its decisions 

regarding filing a lien under RCW 70.105D.055, and its decisions regarding liable persons under RCW 70.105D.020, 

70.105D.040, 70.105D.050, and 70.105D.055 shall be reviewable exclusively in superior court and only at the 

following times: (1) In a cost recovery suit under RCW 70.105D.050(3); (2) in a suit by the department to enforce an 

order or an agreed order, or seek a civil penalty under this chapter; (3) in a suit for reimbursement under RCW 

70.105D.050(2); (4) in a suit by the department to compel investigative or remedial action; (5) in a citizen's suit under 

RCW 70.105D.050(5); and (6) in a suit for removal or reduction of a lien under RCW 70.105D.050(7). Except in suits 

for reduction or removal of a lien under RCW 70.105D.050(7), the court shall uphold the department's actions unless 

they were arbitrary and capricious. In suits for reduction or removal of a lien under RCW 70.105D.050(7), the court 

shall review such suits pursuant to the standards set forth in RCW 70.105D.050(7). 

[2007 c 104 § 20; 2005 c 211 § 3; 1994 c 257 § 13; 1989 c 2 § 6 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

Notes:

 Application -- Construction -- Severability -- 2007 c 104: See RCW 64.70.015

and 64.70.900. 

 Severability -- 1994 c 257: See note following RCW 36.70A.270. 

70.105D.070

Toxics control accounts.

 *** CHANGE IN 2010 *** (SEE 6444-S.SL) ***

(1) The state toxics control account and the local toxics control account are hereby created in the state treasury.

 (2) The following moneys shall be deposited into the state toxics control account: (a) Those revenues which are 

raised by the tax imposed under RCW 82.21.030 and which are attributable to that portion of the rate equal to thirtythree one-hundredths of one percent; (b) the costs of remedial actions recovered under this chapter or chapter 

70.105A RCW; (c) penalties collected or recovered under this chapter; and (d) any other money appropriated or 

transferred to the account by the legislature. Moneys in the account may be used only to carry out the purposes of 

this chapter, including but not limited to the following activities:

 (i) The state's responsibility for hazardous waste planning, management, regulation, enforcement, technical 

assistance, and public education required under chapter 70.105 RCW;

 (ii) The state's responsibility for solid waste planning, management, regulation, enforcement, technical assistance, 

and public education required under chapter 70.95 RCW;

 (iii) The hazardous waste cleanup program required under this chapter;

 (iv) State matching funds required under the federal cleanup law;

 (v) Financial assistance for local programs in accordance with chapters 70.95, 70.95C, 70.95I, and 70.105 RCW;

 (vi) State government programs for the safe reduction, recycling, or disposal of hazardous wastes from 

households, small businesses, and agriculture;

 (vii) Hazardous materials emergency response training;

 (viii) Water and environmental health protection and monitoring programs;
RCW 70.105D - 18

 (ix) Programs authorized under chapter 70.146 RCW;

 (x) A public participation program, including regional citizen advisory committees;

 (xi) Public funding to assist potentially liable persons to pay for the costs of remedial action in compliance with 

cleanup standards under RCW 70.105D.030(2)(e) but only when the amount and terms of such funding are 

established under a settlement agreement under RCW 70.105D.040(4) and when the director has found that the 

funding will achieve both (A) a substantially more expeditious or enhanced cleanup than would otherwise occur, and 

(B) the prevention or mitigation of unfair economic hardship; 

 (xii) Development and demonstration of alternative management technologies designed to carry out the hazardous 

waste management priorities of RCW 70.105.150; and

 (xiii) During the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, shoreline update technical assistance.

 (3) The following moneys shall be deposited into the local toxics control account: Those revenues which are raised 

by the tax imposed under RCW 82.21.030 and which are attributable to that portion of the rate equal to thirty-seven 

one-hundredths of one percent.

 (a) Moneys deposited in the local toxics control account shall be used by the department for grants or loans to 

local governments for the following purposes in descending order of priority:

 (i) Remedial actions;

 (ii) Hazardous waste plans and programs under chapter 70.105 RCW;

 (iii) Solid waste plans and programs under chapters 70.95, 70.95C, 70.95I, and 70.105 RCW;

 (iv) Funds for a program to assist in the assessment and cleanup of sites of methamphetamine production, but not 

to be used for the initial containment of such sites, consistent with the responsibilities and intent of RCW 69.50.511; 

and

 (v) Cleanup and disposal of hazardous substances from abandoned or derelict vessels, defined for the purposes 

of this section as vessels that have little or no value and either have no identified owner or have an identified owner 

lacking financial resources to clean up and dispose of the vessel, that pose a threat to human health or the 

environment.

 (b) Funds for plans and programs shall be allocated consistent with the priorities and matching requirements 

established in chapters 70.105, 70.95C, 70.95I, and 70.95 RCW, except that any applicant that is a Puget Sound 

partner, as defined in RCW 90.71.010, along with any project that is referenced in the action agenda developed by 

the Puget Sound partnership under RCW 90.71.310, shall, except as conditioned by RCW 70.105D.120, receive 

priority for any available funding for any grant or funding programs or sources that use a competitive bidding process. 

During the 2007-2009 fiscal biennium, moneys in the account may also be used for grants to local governments to 

retrofit public sector diesel equipment and for storm water planning and implementation activities.

 (c) To expedite cleanups throughout the state, the department shall partner with local communities and liable 

parties for cleanups. The department is authorized to use the following additional strategies in order to ensure a 

healthful environment for future generations:

 (i) The director may alter grant-matching requirements to create incentives for local governments to expedite 

cleanups when one of the following conditions exists:

 (A) Funding would prevent or mitigate unfair economic hardship imposed by the clean-up liability;

 (B) Funding would create new substantial economic development, public recreational, or habitat restoration 

opportunities that would not otherwise occur; or

 (C) Funding would create an opportunity for acquisition and redevelopment of vacant, orphaned, or abandoned 

property under RCW 70.105D.040(5) that would not otherwise occur;

 (ii) The use of outside contracts to conduct necessary studies;
RCW 70.105D - 19

 (iii) The purchase of remedial action cost-cap insurance, when necessary to expedite multiparty clean-up efforts.

 (4) Except for unanticipated receipts under RCW 43.79.260 through 43.79.282, moneys in the state and local 

toxics control accounts may be spent only after appropriation by statute.

 (5) Except during the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, one percent of the moneys deposited into the state and local 

toxics control accounts shall be allocated only for public participation grants to persons who may be adversely 

affected by a release or threatened release of a hazardous substance and to not-for-profit public interest 

organizations. The primary purpose of these grants is to facilitate the participation by persons and organizations in 

the investigation and remedying of releases or threatened releases of hazardous substances and to implement the 

state's solid and hazardous waste management priorities. No grant may exceed sixty thousand dollars. Grants may 

be renewed annually. Moneys appropriated for public participation from either account which are not expended at the 

close of any biennium shall revert to the state toxics control account.

 (6) No moneys deposited into either the state or local toxics control account may be used for solid waste 

incinerator feasibility studies, construction, maintenance, or operation, or, after January 1, 2010, for projects designed 

to address the restoration of Puget Sound, funded in a competitive grant process, that are in conflict with the action 

agenda developed by the Puget Sound partnership under RCW 90.71.310.

 (7) The department shall adopt rules for grant or loan issuance and performance.

 (8) During the 2007-2009 and 2009-2011 fiscal biennia, the legislature may transfer from the local toxics control 

account to either the state general fund or the oil spill prevention account, or both such amounts as reflect excess 

fund balance in the account.

 (9) During the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, the local toxics control account may also be used for a standby rescue 

tug at Neah Bay, local government shoreline update grants, private and public sector diesel equipment retrofit, and oil 

spill prevention, preparedness, and response activities.

 (10) During the 2009-2011 fiscal biennium, the legislature may transfer from the state toxics control account to the 

state general fund such amounts as reflect the excess fund balance in the account. 

[2009 c 564 § 951; 2009 c 187 § 5. Prior: 2008 c 329 § 921; 2008 c 329 § 920; 2008 c 329 § 919; 2008 c 328 § 6009; prior: 2007 c 522 § 

954; 2007 c 520 § 6033; 2007 c 446 § 2; 2007 c 341 § 30; 2005 c 488 § 926; 2003 1st sp.s. c 25 § 933; 2001 c 27 § 2; 2000 2nd sp.s. c 1 § 

912; 1999 c 309 § 923; prior: 1998 c 346 § 905; 1998 c 81 § 2; 1997 c 406 § 5; 1994 c 252 § 5; 1991 sp.s. c 13 § 69; 1989 c 2 § 7 (Initiative 

Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

Notes:

 Reviser's note: This section was amended by 2009 c 187 § 5 and by 2009 c 564 §

951, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the 

publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 

1.12.025(1). 

 Effective date -- 2009 c 564: See note following RCW 2.68.020. 

 Severability -- Effective date -- 2008 c 329: See notes following RCW 

28B.105.110. 

 Part headings not law -- Severability -- Effective date -- 2008 c 328: See notes 

following RCW 43.155.050. 

 Severability -- Effective date -- 2007 c 522: See notes following RCW 15.64.050. 

 Part headings not law -- Severability -- Effective date -- 2007 c 520: See notes 
RCW 70.105D - 20

following RCW 43.19.125. 

 Severability -- Effective date -- 2007 c 341: See RCW 90.71.906 and 90.71.907. 

 Part headings not law -- Severability -- Effective dates -- 2005 c 488: See notes 

following RCW 28B.50.360. 

 Severability -- Effective date -- 2003 1st sp.s. c 25: See notes following RCW 

19.28.351. 

 Finding -- 2001 c 27: "The legislature finds that there is an increasing number of 

derelict vessels that have been abandoned in the waters along the shorelines of the 

state. These vessels pose hazards to navigation and threaten the environment with the 

potential release of hazardous materials. There is no current federal program that 

comprehensively addresses this problem, and the legislature recognizes that the state 

must assist in providing a solution to this increasing hazard." [2001 c 27 § 1.] 

 Severability -- Effective date -- 2000 2nd sp.s. c 1: See notes following RCW 

41.05.143. 

 Severability -- Effective date -- 1999 c 309: See notes following RCW 41.06.152. 

 Construction -- Severability -- Effective date -- 1998 c 346: See notes following 

RCW 50.24.014. 

 Local governments -- Increased service -- 1998 c 81: "If this act mandates an 

increased level of service by local governments, the local government may, under RCW 

43.135.060 and chapter 4.92 RCW, submit claims for reimbursement by the legislature. 

The claims shall be subject to verification by the office of financial management." [1998 

c 81 § 3.] 

 Finding -- Effective date -- 1994 c 252: See notes following RCW 70.119A.020. 

 Effective dates -- Severability -- 1991 sp.s. c 13: See notes following RCW 

18.08.240. 

70.105D.080

Private right of action — Remedial action costs.

Except as provided in RCW 70.105D.040(4) (d) and (f), a person may bring a private right of action, including a claim 

for contribution or for declaratory relief, against any other person liable under RCW 70.105D.040 for the recovery of 

remedial action costs. In the action, natural resource damages paid to the state under this chapter may also be 

recovered. Recovery shall be based on such equitable factors as the court determines are appropriate. Remedial 

action costs shall include reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses. Recovery of remedial action costs shall be limited 
RCW 70.105D - 21

to those remedial actions that, when evaluated as a whole, are the substantial equivalent of a department-conducted 

or department-supervised remedial action. Substantial equivalence shall be determined by the court with reference to 

the rules adopted by the department under this chapter. An action under this section may be brought after remedial 

action costs are incurred but must be brought within three years from the date remedial action confirms cleanup 

standards are met or within one year of May 12, 1993, whichever is later. The prevailing party in such an action shall 

recover its reasonable attorneys' fees and costs. This section applies to all causes of action regardless of when the 

cause of action may have arisen. To the extent a cause of action has arisen prior to May 12, 1993, this section 

applies retroactively, but in all other respects it applies prospectively. 

[1997 c 406 § 6; 1993 c 326 § 1.]

Notes:

 Effective date -- 1993 c 326: "This act is necessary for the immediate preservation 

of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing 

public institutions, and shall take effect immediately [May 12, 1993]." [1993 c 326 § 2.] 

 Severability -- 1993 c 326: "If any provision of this act or its application to any 

person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the 

provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected." [1993 c 326 § 3.] 

70.105D.090

Remedial actions — Exemption from procedural requirements.

(1) A person conducting a remedial action at a facility under a consent decree, order, or agreed order, and the 

department when it conducts a remedial action, are exempt from the procedural requirements of chapters 70.94, 

70.95, 70.105, 77.55, 90.48, and 90.58 RCW, and the procedural requirements of any laws requiring or authorizing 

local government permits or approvals for the remedial action. The department shall ensure compliance with the 

substantive provisions of chapters 70.94, 70.95, 70.105, 77.55, 90.48, and 90.58 RCW, and the substantive 

provisions of any laws requiring or authorizing local government permits of approvals. The department shall establish 

procedures for ensuring that such remedial actions comply with the substantive requirements adopted pursuant to 

such laws, and shall consult with the state agencies and local governments charged with implementing these laws. 

The procedures shall provide an opportunity for comment by the public and by the state agencies and local 

governments that would otherwise implement the laws referenced in this section. Nothing in this section is intended to 

prohibit implementing agencies from charging a fee to the person conducting the remedial action to defray the costs 

of services rendered relating to the substantive requirements for the remedial action.

 (2) An exemption in this section or in RCW 70.94.335, 70.95.270, 70.105.116, *77.55.030, 90.48.039, and 

90.58.355 shall not apply if the department determines that the exemption would result in loss of approval from a 

federal agency necessary for the state to administer any federal law, including the federal resource conservation and 

recovery act, the federal clean water act, the federal clean air act, and the federal coastal zone management act. 

Such a determination by the department shall not affect the applicability of the exemptions to other statutes specified 

in this section. 

[2003 c 39 § 30; 1994 c 257 § 14.]

Notes:

 *Reviser's note: RCW 77.55.030 was recodified as RCW 77.55.061 pursuant to 

2005 c 146 § 1001. 
RCW 70.105D - 22

 Severability -- 1994 c 257: See note following RCW 36.70A.270. 

70.105D.100

Grants to local governments — Statement of environmental benefits —

Development of outcome-focused performance measures.

In providing grants to local governments, the department shall require grant recipients to incorporate the 

environmental benefits of the project into their grant applications, and the department shall utilize the statement of 

environmental benefit[s] in its prioritization and selection process. The department shall also develop appropriate 

outcome-focused performance measures to be used both for management and performance assessment of the grant 

program. To the extent possible, the department should coordinate its performance measure system with other 

natural resource-related agencies as defined in RCW 43.41.270. The department shall consult with affected interest 

groups in implementing this section. 

[2001 c 227 § 5.]

Notes:

 Findings -- Intent -- 2001 c 227: See note following RCW 43.41.270. 

70.105D.110

Releases of hazardous substances — Notice — Exemptions.

(1) Except as provided in subsection (5) of this section, any owner or operator of a facility that is actively transitioning 

from operating under a federal permit for treatment, storage, or disposal of hazardous waste issued under 42 U.S.C. 

Sec. 6925 to operating under the provisions of this chapter, who has information that a hazardous substance has 

been released to the environment at the owner or operator's facility that may be a threat to human health or the 

environment, shall issue a notice to the department within ninety days. The notice shall include a description of any 

remedial actions planned, completed, or underway.

 (2) The notice must be posted in a visible, publicly accessible location on the facility, to remain in place until all 

remedial actions except confirmational monitoring are complete.

 (3) After receiving the notice from the facility, the department must review the notice and mail a summary of its 

contents, along with any additional information deemed appropriate by the department, to:

 (a) Each residence and landowner of a residence whose property boundary is within three hundred feet of the 

boundary of the property where the release occurred or if the release occurred from a pipeline or other facility that 

does not have a property boundary, within three hundred feet of the actual release;

 (b) Each business and landowner of a business whose property boundary is within three hundred feet of the 

boundary of the property where the release occurred;

 (c) Each residence, landowner of a residence, and business with a property boundary within the area where 

hazardous substances have come to be located as a result of the release;
RCW 70.105D - 23

 (d) Neighborhood associations and community organizations representing an area within one mile of the facility 

and recognized by the city or county with jurisdiction within this area;

 (e) The city, county, and local health district with jurisdiction within the areas described in (a), (b), and (c) of this 

subsection; and

 (f) The department of health.

 (4) A notice produced by a facility shall provide the following information:

 (a) The common name of any hazardous substances released and, if available, the chemical abstract service 

registry number of these substances;

 (b) The address of the facility where the release occurred;

 (c) The date the release was discovered;

 (d) The cause and date of the release, if known;

 (e) The remedial actions being taken or planned to address the release;

 (f) The potential health and environmental effects of the hazardous substances released; and

 (g) The name, address, and telephone number of a contact person at the facility where the release occurred.

 (5) The following releases are exempt from the notification requirements in this section:

 (a) Application of pesticides and fertilizers for their intended purposes and according to label instructions;

 (b) The lawful and nonnegligent use of hazardous household substances by a natural person for personal or 

domestic purposes;

 (c) The discharge of hazardous substances in compliance with permits issued under chapter 70.94, 90.48, or 

90.56 RCW;

 (d) De minimis amounts of any hazardous substance leaked or discharged onto the ground;

 (e) The discharge of hazardous substances to a permitted waste water treatment facility or from a permitted waste 

water collection system or treatment facility as allowed by a facility's discharge permit;

 (f) Any releases originating from a single-family or multifamily residence, including but not limited to the discharge 

of oil from a residential home heating oil tank with the capacity of five hundred gallons or less;

 (g) Any spill on a public road, street, or highway or to surface waters of the state that has previously been reported 

to the United States coast guard and the state division of emergency management under chapter 90.56 RCW;

 (h) Any release of hazardous substances to the air;

 (i) Any release that occurs on agricultural land, including land used to grow trees for the commercial production of 

wood or wood fiber, that is at least five acres in size, when the effects of the release do not come within three 

hundred feet of any property boundary. For the purposes of this subsection, agricultural land includes incidental uses 

that are compatible with agricultural or silvicultural purposes, including, but not limited to, land used for the housing of 

the owner, operator, or employees, structures used for the storage or repair of equipment, machinery, and chemicals, 

and any paths or roads on the land; and

 (j) Releases that, before January 1, 2003, have been previously reported to the department, or remediated in 

compliance with a settlement agreement under RCW 70.105D.040(4) or enforcement order or agreed order issued 

under this chapter or have been the subject of an opinion from the department under RCW 70.105D.030(1)(i) that no 

further remedial action is required.

 An exemption from the notification requirements of this section does not exempt the owner or operator of a facility 

from any other notification or reporting requirements, or imply a release from liability under this chapter.
RCW 70.105D - 24

 (6) If a significant segment of the community to be notified speaks a language other than English, an appropriate 

translation of the notice must also be posted and mailed to the department in accordance with the requirements of 

this section.

 (7) The facility where the release occurred is responsible for reimbursing the department within thirty days for the 

actual costs associated with the production and mailing of the notices under this section. 

[2002 c 288 § 2.]

Notes:

 Effective date -- 2002 c 288 §§ 2-4: "Sections 2 through 4 of this act take effect 

January 1, 2003." [2002 c 288 § 6.] 

 Severability -- 2002 c 288: See note following RCW 70.105D.010. 

70.105D.120

Puget Sound partners.

When administering funds under this chapter, the department shall give preference only to Puget Sound partners, as 

defined in RCW 90.71.010, in comparison to other entities that are eligible to be included in the definition of Puget 

Sound partner. Entities that are not eligible to be a Puget Sound partner due to geographic location, composition, 

exclusion from the scope of the Puget Sound action agenda developed by the Puget Sound partnership under RCW 

90.71.310, or for any other reason, shall not be given less preferential treatment than Puget Sound partners. 

[2007 c 341 § 31.]

Notes:

 Severability -- Effective date -- 2007 c 341: See RCW 90.71.906 and 90.71.907. 

70.105D.130

Cleanup settlement account — Reporting requirements.

 *** CHANGE IN 2010 *** (SEE 6444-S.SL) ***

(1) The cleanup settlement account is created in the state treasury. The account is not intended to replace the state 

toxics control account established under RCW 70.105D.070. All receipts from the sources identified in subsection (2) 

of this section must be deposited into the account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation. 

Expenditures from the account may be used only as identified in subsection (4) of this section.

 (2) The following receipts must be deposited into the cleanup settlement account:

 (a) Receipts from settlements or court orders that direct payment to the account and resolve a person's liability or 
RCW 70.105D - 25

potential liability under this chapter for either or both of the following:

 (i) Conducting future remedial action at a specific facility, if it is not feasible to require the person to conduct the 

remedial action based on the person's financial insolvency, limited ability to pay, or insignificant contribution under 

RCW 70.105D.040(4)(a);

 (ii) Assessing or addressing the injury to natural resources caused by the release of a hazardous substance from 

a specific facility; and

 (b) Receipts from investment of the moneys in the account.

 (3) If a settlement or court order does not direct payment of receipts described in subsection (2)(a) of this section 

into the cleanup settlement account, then the receipts from any payment to the state must be deposited into the state 

toxics control account.

 (4) Expenditures from the cleanup settlement account may only be used to conduct remedial actions at the 

specific facility or to assess or address the injury to natural resources caused by the release of hazardous substances 

from that facility for which the moneys were deposited in the account. Conducting remedial actions or assessing or 

addressing injury to natural resources includes direct expenditures and indirect expenditures such as department 

oversight costs.

 (5) The department shall track moneys received, interest earned, and moneys expended separately for each 

facility.

 (6) After the department determines that all remedial actions at a specific facility, and all actions assessing or 

addressing injury to natural resources caused by the release of hazardous substances from that facility, are 

completed, including payment of all related costs, any moneys remaining for the specific facility must be transferred 

to the state toxics control account established under RCW 70.105D.070.

 (7) The department shall provide the office of financial management and the fiscal committees of the legislature 

with a report by October 31st of each year regarding the activity within the cleanup settlement account during the 

previous fiscal year. 

[2008 c 106 § 1.]

70.105D.900

Short title — 1989 c 2.

This act shall be known as "the model toxics control act." 

[1989 c 2 § 22 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

70.105D.905

Captions — 1989 c 2.

As used in this act, captions constitute no part of the law. 

[1989 c 2 § 21 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]
RCW 70.105D - 26

70.105D.910

Construction — 1989 c 2.

The provisions of this act are to be liberally construed to effectuate the policies and purposes of this act. In the event 

of conflict between the provisions of this act and any other act, the provisions of this act shall govern. 

[1989 c 2 § 19 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

70.105D.915

Existing agreements — 1989 c 2.

The consent orders and decrees in effect on March 1, 1989, shall remain valid and binding. 

[1989 c 2 § 20 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

70.105D.920

Effective date — 1989 c 2.

(1) Sections 1 through 24 of this act shall take effect March 1, 1989, except that the director of ecology and the 

director of revenue may take whatever actions may be necessary to ensure that sections 1 through 24 of this act are 

implemented on their effective date.

 *(2) This section does not apply and shall have no force or effect if (a) this act is passed by the legislature in the 

1988 regular session or (b) no bill is enacted by the legislature involving hazardous substance cleanup (along with 

any other subject matter) between August 15, 1987, and January 1, 1988. 

[1989 c 2 § 26 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]

Notes:

 *Reviser's note: Neither condition contained in subsection (2) was met. 

70.105D.921

Severability — 1989 c 2.

If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or 

the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected. 

[1989 c 2 § 18 (Initiative Measure No. 97, approved November 8, 1988).]