Far-reaching Washington water measure stalls

A bill designed to reduce flooding, correct wastewater issues and bolster water supply in areas throughout the state appears to have stalled in committee.

Washington Senate Bill 5628 would create water storage in the eastern part of the state, build flood prevention infrastructure in the west and address polluted stormwater runoff statewide. It would pay for itself through land parcel taxes, but it hasn’t moved since its public hearing Jan. 26 in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

The bill proposes to set up evaluation and prioritization criteria for projects and build water supply infrastructure. It would create three grant programs funded via property assessments.

It’s a version of state Rep. Richard DeBolt’s proposal for a $4 billion piece of legislation that combines Chehalis River Basin flood projects with other projects in the state.

If passed, the plan would go up for a public vote. It calls for a tiered system, which for residential and undeveloped parcels would be $35 for parcels of 1 acre or less, $65 for greater than 1 acre but fewer than 5, and $90 for 5 or more acres. Nonresidential parcels also would be tiered, with a $125 tax for 1 or fewer acres; $250 for greater than 1 but fewer than 5; $375 between 5 and 10; and $500 for 10 or greater.

Officials say about two-thirds of the assessed properties in the state would pay $35, while highly developed parcels would pay up to $500.

Some would be exempt, including some forest, timber and agricultural lands.

“I think its problem predominantly is with the method they’re using to fund that bill. It is a tax on parcels,” said Ron Averill, Centralia’s representative on the Flood Authority.