SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 6258
As Reported By Senate Committee On:
Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, January 23, 2002
Title: An act relating to Class IV forest practices in urbanizing areas.
Brief Description: Modifying provisions concerning Class IV forest practices.
Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Oke and Rasmussen; by request of Department of Natural Resources.
Brief History:
Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines: 1/21/02, 1/23/02 [DP].
SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Poulsen, Vice Chair; McDonald, Morton, Oke, Spanel and Stevens.
Staff: Vic Moon (786‑7469)
Background: In 1997, the Legislature approved authority for counties and cities to adopt ordinances or regulations to establish standards for Class IV forest practices if they chose to. Class IV forest practices are related primarily to changes in land use directly affecting local land use planning.
When the Department of Natural Resources determines that a county or city's forest practices regulations meet or exceed the requirements of the state's Forest Practices Act and administration of rules under that act, the forest practice Class IV permit process is transferred to the city or county. At the present time only four counties have adopted ordinances that meet the standards of the Forest Practices Act. The kinds of lands that can be transferred under the Class IV permit are not completely clear in the existing statute.
Summary of Bill: The ordinance and regulation adoption date is extended to 2005 from 2001. The definition of Class IV forest practices is clarified to include all forest practices in urban growth areas.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Testimony For: The counties and cities need more time to develop regulations for forest practices.
Testimony Against: None.
Testified: Leonard Young, Department of Natural Resources.