HB 1118 - DIGEST

Provides that the legislative authority of any county may remove gravel from streams or other watercourses when the gravel removal is deemed by the county legislative authority to be beneficial in reducing the impact of potential flooding.

Provides that, prior to removing gravel, the county legislative authority must first contact the department of fish and wildlife for a suggestion of when gravel removal would have the minimum impact on aquatic life. Except in an emergency situation, the actual removal of gravel should occur as close as possible to the dates provided by the department of fish and wildlife.

Provides that the legislative authority of a county may only exercise the authority granted under this act to remove gravel from streams or other watercourses if the area of the county from which the gravel is to be removed is not within the jurisdiction of an active diking district organized under chapter 85.05 RCW or an active flood control district organized under chapter 86.09 RCW.

Applies also to flood control districts and diking districts.

Declares that the department may not prohibit, penalize, or condition a flood control district operating under this act, a diking district operating under this act, or a county legislative authority operating under RCW 36.32.290 when removing gravel from streams or other watercourses for flood control or flood impact reduction purposes.

Provides that, however, the department shall, when requested by a flood control district, diking district, or county, provide a range of suggested dates when gravel removal will have the minimum impact to aquatic life.