1514-S

AN ACT Relating to the Olympic natural resources center; amending RCW 76.12.210; adding new sections to chapter 76.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 28B.20 RCW; and repealing RCW 76.12.220.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 76.12 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The Olympic natural resources center shall be administered by the board of directors of the Olympic natural resources center.

(2) The board shall represent the various interests concerned with the purposes of the center, including the state and federal governments, environmental organizations, local communities, the timber industry, Indian tribes, marine-related interests, and the provost of the University of Washington.

(3) The term of each board member shall be three years.

(4) The board shall meet at least quarterly. Board members shall be appointed by the governor. In determining the appointments, the governor shall consult with and seek the recommendation of agencies, organizations, and individuals with expertise in marine-related sciences and forest resources management. The governor shall stagger the terms of the first group of appointees to ensure the long-term continuity of the board.

(5) The board shall carry out the duties outlined in RCW 76.12.210.

(6) Actual travel expenses incurred in connection with service to the center may be reimbursed from appropriated funds in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 76.12 RCW to read as follows:

The University of Washington shall provide the affiliated staff, faculty, and facilities required to support the operation of the Olympic natural resources center and the board of directors.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 28B.20 RCW to read as follows:

The University of Washington shall provide the affiliated staff, faculty, and facilities required to support the operation of the Olympic natural resources center and the board of directors.

Sec. 4. RCW 76.12.210 and 1991 c 316 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

The Olympic natural resources center is hereby created at the University of Washington in the college of forest resources and the college of ocean and fishery sciences. The center shall conduct research and education throughout the region and state, and shall maintain facilities and programs in the western portion of the Olympic Peninsula. Its purpose shall be to demonstrate innovative management methods which successfully integrate environmental and economic interests into pragmatic management of forest and ocean resources. The center shall combine research and educational opportunities with experimental forestry, oceans management, and traditional management knowledge into an overall program which demonstrates that management based on sound economic principles is made superior when combined with new methods of management based on ecological principles. The programs developed by the center shall include the following:

(1) Research and education on a broad range of ocean resources problems and opportunities in the region, such as estuarine processes, ocean and coastal management, offshore development, fisheries and shellfish enhancement, and coastal business development, tourism, and recreation. In developing this component of the center's program, the center shall collaborate with coastal educational institutions such as Grays Harbor community college and Peninsula community college;

(2) Research and education on forest resources management issues on the landscape, ecosystem, or regional level, including issues that cross legal and administrative boundaries;

(3) Research and education that broadly integrates marine and terrestrial issues, including interactions of marine, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems, and that identifies options and opportunities to integrate the production of commodities with the preservation of ecological values. Where appropriate, programs shall address issues and opportunities that cross legal and administrative boundaries;

(4) Research and education on natural resources and their social and economic implications, and on alternative economic and social bases for sustainable, healthy, resource-based communities;

(5) Educational opportunities such as workshops, short courses, and continuing education for resource professionals, policy forums, information exchanges including international exchanges where appropriate, conferences, student research, and public education; and

(6) Creation of a neutral forum where parties with diverse interests are encouraged to address and resolve their conflicts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. RCW 76.12.220 and 1991 c 316 s 3 are each repealed.