February 27, 1998 RE: Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Sites Chapter 480-92 WAC Docket UR-980080 TO INTERESTED PERSONS: The Governor’s Executive Order 97-02 requires agencies to review significant rules for compliance with the following standards listed below. The Commission invites comments on possible changes in Chapter 480-92 WAC concerning Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Sites that would increase compliance with these standards. 1. Need. Is the rule necessary to comply with the statutes that authorize it? Is the rule obsolete, duplicative, or ambiguous to a degree that warrants repeal or revision? Have laws or other circumstances changed so that the rule should be amended or repealed? Is the rule necessary to protect or safeguard the health, welfare, or safety of Washington's citizens? 2. Effectiveness and Efficiency. Is the rule providing the results that it was originally designed to achieve in a reasonable manner? Are there regulatory alternatives or new technologies that could more effectively or efficiently achieve the same objectives? 3. Clarity. Is the rule written and organized in a clear and concise manner so that it can be readily understood by those to whom it applies? 4. Intent and Statutory Authority. Is the rule consistent with the legislative intent of the statutes that authorize it? Is the rule based upon sufficient statutory authority? Is there a need to develop a more specific legislative authorization in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of Washington's citizens? 5. Coordination. Could additional consultation and coordination with other governmental jurisdictions and state agencies with similar regulatory authority eliminate or reduce duplication and inconsistency? Agencies should consult with and coordinate with other jurisdictions that have similar regulatory requirements when it is likely that coordination can reduce duplication and inconsistency. 6. Cost. Have qualitative and quantitative benefits of the rule been considered in relation to its cost? 7. Fairness. Does the rule result in equitable treatment of those required to comply with it? Should it be modified to eliminate or minimize any disproportionate impacts on the regulated community? Should it be strengthened to provide additional protection? WRITTEN COMMENTS. Written comments are due in the Commission offices no later than March 27, 1998. All commenters are asked, but not required, to file an original and 10 copies of their written comments. The Commission also requests, but does not require, that comments be provided on a 3 ½ inch IBM formatted high-density disk, in ASCII text or WordPerfect version 5.1, 6.0 or 6.1, labeled with the docket number of this proceeding and the commenter’s name and type of software used. Commission Staff will post on the Commission’s web site those comments that are provided in electronic format. The web site is . We ask all commenters to include a summary of their comments. NOTICE OF WORKSHOP. The Commission has scheduled a workshop to discuss possible changes to Chapter 480-92 WAC, Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal Sites. As noticed in the CR-101 Preproposal Statement of Inquiry, the workshop will be held on June 11, 1998, beginning at 9:30 a.m., in the Commission’s Hearing Room, Second Floor, Chandler Plaza, 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W., Olympia, Washington. The Commission’s teleconference bridge line will be available for this workshop. However, a limited number of teleconference ports are available and will be assigned one to an organization, first come first served. Persons wishing to attend via the teleconference bridge line must contact Shirley Burrell at 360-664-1140 no later than 3:00 p.m., June 9, 1998. Your participation is welcomed via written comments and/or attendance at the workshop. Opportunity for further comment is anticipated. Information will be posted on the web site. Sincerely, PAUL CURL Acting Secretary Enclosure