Subject: MTCA Rule Status - July 11, 2000 Several of you have asked me to let you know about possible schedule changes. Intuition is telling me that it doesn't seem likely that Ecology will file a new rule by the July 19 cutoff for publication in the August 2 State Register. If that turns out to be the case, then here is what you might expect to see posted on the program's web page: The filing of a new rule by the Department of Ecology with the Code Reviser's Office is anticipated by August 2, 2000. If the rule is filed before the August 2 cutoff date, then the proposed rule text will be published in the August 16 Washington State Register. An electronic and hard copy of (1) the proposed rule; (2) Small Business Economic Impact Statement; and (3) draft Environmental Impact Statement will be available for distribution by Ecology within a few days of rule filing or August 7. Under this scenario, the comment period would begin August 16 and end September 15, 2000. Hearings on the proposed rule are planned for 6:00 p.m. on September 6 in Seattle and September 7 in Spokane. A draft cost-benefit analysis document will be available about mid-point in the public comment period on the rule. Comments on each of these documents may be written and submitted to Ecology, may be presented orally at hearings, or both. The deadline for submitting written comments to Ecology is 5:00 p.m., Friday, September 15, 2000, for electronic files and faxed documents. Written comments submitted to Ecology's physical address will be accepted by Ecology if received with a postmark no later than September 15. I hope this information is useful in the event you are planning on a vacation this summer. Trish Akana (360) 407-7230