Section 1 [Wetland Banking Fees] requires wetland banking fees to be based on the actual cost to BWSR of implementing the activities for which fees are charged.

Section 2 [PCA Training Fee] clarifies that the Pollution Control Agency (PCA) may not increase the fee for training water pollution control or subsurface sewage treatment system personnel without legislative approval.

Section 3 [NPDES Exemption; Water Transfers] establishes an exemption from the Pollution Control Agency’s (PCA) National Pollutant Discharge and Elimination System (NPDES) permit requirement for water transfers that do not introduce pollutants to the waters transferred. This exemption mirrors a similar federal exemption.

Section 4 [External Peer Review of Water Quality Standards] directs the PCA to have peer review conducted on all new and revised numeric water quality standards.  This section also provides for the process of conducting the peer review and the development of technical support documents for the water quality standards.

Section 5 [Effluent Limitation Compliance] provides that to the extent allowed by federal law, an  industrial NPDES or state disposal system permit holder that constructs a treatment work facility to comply with modified standards, may not be required to expend additional capital investment on the treatment works for 16 years.

Section 6 [Wastewater & Water Supply System Operator Certification Fee] clarifies that the PCA may not increase the fee for wastewater & water supply system operator certification without legislative approval.

Section 7 & 8 [Wastewater Laboratory Certification Fee] prohibits PCA from increasing the fee for wastewater laboratory certification without legislative approval.

Section 9 [Air Permit Modifications] modifies requirements related to state air quality permits and rulemaking.

Section 10 [Water Permit Fees] clarifies that the PCA may not increase water-related permit fees without legislative approval.

Section 11 [Extension of Post-EAW Comment Period] provides that the 30 day comment period following publication of an environmental assessment worksheet may not be extended without the approval of the project’s proposer.

Section 12 [Pipeline Definition] limits the definition of pipeline to those that are owned or operated by a condemning authority.

Section 13 [Wetland Replacement; Frameworks for In-lieu Fee Program] allows BWSR to complete planning frameworks and other application requirements for an in-lieu fee program for wetland replacement.

Section 14 [Revisor Instruction] makes a conforming change to the statutes to reflect the changes made in section 2 of the bill.