HB 2589-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Authorizes the board to award a grant or loan for a salmon recovery project on private or public land when the landowner has a legal obligation under local, state, or federal law to perform the project, when expedited action provides a clear benefit to salmon recovery.  In making its determination to award the grant or loan, the board shall at least consider the resources of the private landowner and the potential harm to salmon recovery if the project is delayed.  Project sponsors and lead entities must identify to the board any project submitted for funding that must be performed under a legal obligation, and must provide justification as to why the project should receive public funding at this time.  For purposes of this provision, a legal obligation does not include a project required solely as a mitigation or condition of permitting.

     Authorizes the board to condition a grant or loan to include the requirement that property may only be transferred to a federal agency if the agency that will acquire the property agrees to comply with all terms of the grant or loan to which the project sponsor was obligated.  Property acquired or improved by a project sponsor may be conveyed to a federal agency, but only if the agency agrees to comply with all terms of the grant or loan to which the project sponsor was obligated.