(1) A district may improve its lands by dredging, filling, bulkheading, providing waterways or otherwise developing such lands for industrial and commercial purposes. A district may also acquire, construct, install, improve, and operate sewer and water utilities to serve its own property and other property owners under terms, conditions, and rates to be fixed and approved by the port commission. A district may also acquire, by purchase, construction, lease, or in any other manner, and may maintain and operate other facilities for the control or elimination of air, water, or other pollution, including, but not limited to, facilities for the treatment and/or disposal of industrial wastes, and may make such facilities available to others under terms, conditions and rates to be fixed and approved by the port commission. Such conditions and rates shall be sufficient to reimburse the port for all costs, including reasonable amortization of capital outlays caused by or incidental to providing such other pollution control facilities. However, no part of such costs of providing any pollution control facility to others shall be paid out of any tax revenues of the port and no port shall enter into an agreement or contract to provide sewer and/or water utilities or pollution control facilities if substantially similar utilities or facilities are available from another source (or sources) which is able and willing to provide such utilities or facilities on a reasonable and nondiscriminatory basis unless such other source (or sources) consents thereto.

     (2) In the event that a port elects to make such other pollution control facilities available to others, it shall do so by lease, lease purchase agreement, or other agreement binding such user to pay for the use of said facilities for the full term of the revenue bonds issued by the port for the acquisition of said facilities, and said payments shall at least fully reimburse the port for all principal and interest paid by it on said bonds and for all operating or other costs, if any, incurred by the port in connection with said facilities. However, where there is more than one user of any such facilities, each user shall be responsible for its pro rata share of such costs and payment of principal and interest. Any port intending to provide pollution control facilities to others shall first survey the port district to ascertain the potential users of such facilities and the extent of their needs. The port shall conduct a public hearing upon the proposal and shall give each potential user an opportunity to participate in the use of such facilities upon equal terms and conditions.

     (3) "Pollution control facility," as used in this section and RCW 53.08.041, does not include air quality improvement equipment that provides emission reductions for engines, vehicles, and vessels.

[2007 c 348 § 103; 1989 c 298 § 1; 1972 ex.s. c 54 § 1; 1967 c 131 § 1; 1955 c 65 § 5. Prior: 1943 c 166 § 2, part; 1921 c 183 § 1, part; 1917 c 125 § 1, part; 1913 c 62 § 4, part; 1911 c 92 § 4, part; Rem. Supp. 1943 § 9692, part.]

NOTES:

     Findings -- Part headings not law -- 2007 c 348: See RCW 43.325.005 and 43.325.903.

     Severability -- 1972 ex.s. c 54: "If any provision of this 1972 amendatory act or the application thereof to any person or circumstance, is held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or applications of the act which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the provisions of this 1972 amendatory act are declared to be severable." [1972 ex.s. c 54 § 5.]

Assessments and charges against state lands: Chapter 79.44 RCW.