(1) Moneys in the waste tire removal account may be appropriated to the department of ecology:

     (a) To provide for funding to state and local governments for the removal of discarded vehicle tires from unauthorized tire dump sites;

     (b) To accomplish the other purposes of RCW 70.95.020 as they relate to waste tire cleanup under this chapter; and

     (c) To conduct a study of existing tire cleanup sites. The office of financial management shall oversee the study process and approve the completed study. The completed study shall be delivered to the house of representatives and senate transportation committees by November 15, 2005. In conducting the study, the department shall consult on a regular basis with interested parties. The following identified elements at a minimum shall be included in the completed study:

     (i) Identification of existing tire cleanup sites in the state of Washington;

     (ii) The estimated number of tires in each tire cleanup site;

     (iii) A map identifying the location of each one of the tire cleanup sites;

     (iv) A photograph of each one of the tire cleanup sites;

     (v) The estimated cost for cleanup of each tire [cleanup] site by cost component;

     (vi) The estimated reimbursement of costs to be recovered from persons or entities that created or have responsibility for the tire cleanup site;

     (vii) Identification of the type of reimbursements for recovery by each of the tire cleanup sites;

     (viii) The estimated time frame to begin the cleanup project and the estimated completion date for each tire cleanup site;

     (ix) An assessment of local government functions relating to unauthorized tire piles, including cleanup, enforcement, and public health;

     (x) Identification of needs in the areas in (c)(ix) of this subsection for each one of the counties; and

     (xi) A statewide cleanup plan based on multiple funding options between twenty cents and sixty cents for each new tire sold at retail in the state starting on July 1, 2005. The plan shall include the estimated time frame to begin each of the tire cleanup sites and the estimated completion date for each one of the sites. In addition, the plan must include a process to be followed in selecting entities to perform the tire site cleanups. The 2006 legislature shall determine the final distribution of the tire cleanup fee and the appropriations for this statewide tire cleanup plan.

     (2) In spending funds in the account under this section, the department of ecology shall identify communities with the most severe problems with waste tires and provide funds first to those communities to remove accumulations of waste tires.

     (3) Immediately after July 1, 2005, the department of ecology shall initiate a pilot project in a city with a population between three and four thousand within a county with a population less than twenty thousand to contract to clean up a formerly licensed tire pile in existence for ten or more years. To begin the project, the department shall seek to use financial assurance funds set aside for clean up of the tire pile. For purposes of this subsection, population figures are the official 2004 population as estimated by the office of financial management for purposes of state revenue allocation.

[2005 c 354 § 5; 1988 c 250 § 1; 1985 c 345 § 7.]

NOTES:

     Finding -- Intent -- Severability -- Effective date -- 2005 c 354: See notes following RCW 70.95.510.