00                             HOUSE BILL NO. 503                                                                          
01 "An Act relating to evaluating state assumption of the wastewater discharge program                                     
02 under the federal Clean Water Act; and providing for an effective date."                                                
03 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:                                                                
04    * Section 1.  The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section                         
05 to read:                                                                                                                
06       FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.  The Department of Environmental Conservation has                                           
07 proposed assuming the national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit                                    
08 system program for Alaska under 33 U.S.C. 1342 from the United States Environmental                                     
09 Protection Agency.  The department is directed to evaluate the potential benefits and                                   
10 consequences of assuming NPDES primacy for Alaska.                                                                      
11    * Sec. 2.  The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to                         
12 read:                                                                                                                   
13       PLAN FOR ASSUMING NPDES PRIMACY BY STATE.  (a)  The Department of                                                 
14 Environmental Conservation shall develop an implementation plan for the assumption of                                   
01 NPDES primacy by the state, including                                                                                   
02            (1)  statutory and regulatory changes;                                                                       
03            (2)  procedures for issuing permits;                                                                         
04            (3)  procedures for conflict resolution with the United States Environmental                                 
05 Protection Agency;                                                                                                      
06            (4)  a statement of the cost of assuming NPDES primacy;                                                      
07            (5)  a statement of sources of federal funding available.                                                    
08       (b)  The draft plan shall be submitted to relevant interest groups and the public for                             
09 review and comment before the Department of Environmental Conservation adopts a final                                   
10 plan.  The draft plan shall be submitted to the legislature for review and comment.  The final                          
11 plan shall be submitted to the legislature on the first day of the First Regular Session of the                         
12 Twenty-Fourth Alaska State Legislature.                                                                                 
13    * Sec. 3.  This Act takes effect immediately under AS 01.10.070(c).