AGC’s new Environment Committee tackles proposed soils-handling regulations

AGC formed a new Environment Committee to address proposed regulations and legislation regarding environmental issues. The group recently met for the first time and immediately got to work reviewing byzantine new regulations proposed by the Department of Ecology that impact the moving of dirt.

The new regulations require, among other things, that soil quality for “impacted soil” from a sending site to be as good or better thein the soil quality of the receiving site. The bottom line is that the proposed regulation would likely increase the complexity, cost, schedule and liability for earthwork projects. The Environment Committee is currently developing AGC’s response to the proposal.

AGC members are encouraged to look into the proposed Solid Waste Handling Standards via the Department of Ecology’s website on the topic here. Please send any comments about the proposal to AGC’s Chief Lobbyist Jerry VanderWood, 360.352.5000.

The Environment Committee also reviewed proposed legislation regarding the Hydraulic Permit Application (HPA). More information will be provided on this topic in future AGC Works newsletters.

AGC thanks the initial members of the AGC Environment Committee:

Carter Rohrbough of Granite Construction (Chair);

Connie Sue Martin of Schwabe, Williamson & Wyatt;

Jake Jacobson of Osborne Construction;

Jennifer Frey of Sellen Construction;

Keven Samuelson of Granite Construction;

Jimmy Blais of Stoneway Concrete, and

Jim Shellooe of AMEC Earth and Environmental.