Opinion ID: 1410803
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Validity of the water quality control conditions.

Text: The Shorelines Hearings Board concluded the water quality control conditions imposed by the County are reasonably related to regulation of the road and bridge, and could be applied to those activities. The Board based its conclusion on the fact that erosion from road construction is a major threat to water quality, and in this case the road even intersects the path of surface waters flowing into the lake and stream. Recognizing that the SMA was not primarily designed to regulate water quality, the Board nonetheless concluded that water quality is a vital consideration in land use planning under the SMA and that [c]onditions of a permit relating to water quality are in furtherance of one of the many policies of the Act, namely, the protection of water quality. Respondent concedes that, in the absence of the FPA amendment which we have found unconstitutional, local governments have authority to regulate forest practices in the shoreline through master programs and substantial development permits. It contends, however, that the water quality standards imposed here, standards promulgated by the Department of Ecology in water quality regulations, are not suitable for enforcement. It also contends that direct enforcement of water quality standards against forest practices is prohibited by RCW 90.48.240, a section of the water pollution control act (WPCA). [6] The Department of Ecology has sole responsibility for establishing state water quality standards under the provisions of the WPCA. RCW 90.48.420(1). The same statutory section requires that forest practice regulations promulgated by both the Department of Ecology and the forest practices board achieve compliance with water pollution control law. Both the WPCA and the water quality regulations promulgated thereunder clearly contemplate that Department water quality standards will be enforced. See WAC 173-201-090 ACHIEVEMENT CONSIDERATIONS; WAC 173-201-120 ENFORCEMENT. The standards imposed under the permit conditions here in fact include very specific criteria. WAC 173-201-030. We conclude the standards imposed in the permit conditions are set forth with sufficient specificity and are well suited, and intended, for enforcement. We also conclude that RCW 90.48.420(3) does not bar enforcement of water quality controls through a substantial development permit. That provision of the WPCA prohibits the imposition of any permit system for nonpoint pollution caused by forest practices under the procedures of that act. It also prohibits imposition of civil or criminal penalties under the act on any forest practice which complies with certain applicable statutes and regulations. These provisions, however, are simply not relevant to the question here, that is, the authority of the County under the SMA to impose water quality control conditions in a shoreline management substantial development permit. We are not faced with an attempt to establish a permit system for nonpoint pollution under the procedures of the WPCA, or with imposition of penalties under that act. We conclude that the County has authority under the SMA to impose water quality control conditions on forest practices which are regulated by substantial development permits. We affirm the Shorelines Hearings Board conclusion in this regard, including the provision in its order that the monitoring program be terminated by the Department of Ecology when it has ascertained with reasonable certainty that respondent's activity has not and will not degrade the water quality of the lake. We note the County has raised no objection to this modification of the conditions.