FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 5944

C 48 L 09

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Implementing a demonstration project to reduce phosphorus loading in Lake Whatcom.

Sponsors: Senators Ranker, Brandland, Hargrove, Morton, Haugen, Shin, Fraser, Pridemore, Kastama, Kilmer, Jacobsen, Rockefeller, Sheldon, Kauffman, Berkey, Kline, Hobbs and Marr.

Senate Committee on Environment, Water & Energy

House Committee on Ecology & Parks

Background: In 2007 the Legislature adopted ESSB 5372, creating the Puget Sound Partnership (Partnership). The Partnership is tasked with cleaning up and restoring Puget Sound by the year 2020. The Partnership is governed by the Leadership Council, seven members chosen from around Puget Sound and appointed by the Governor. The Leadership Council developed the initial 2020 Plan and the Action Agenda. The Action Agenda identifies and prioritizes those actions which are necessary to achieve the aims of the 2020 Plan.

In Whatcom County, the Action Agenda recommends implementing a watershed management plan, implementing a storm water runoff plan, and taking steps to manage on-site sewage systems in the Lake Whatcom watershed. The Lake Whatcom watershed supplies freshwater to half of the county's population. Additionally, Lake Whatcom is the drinking water reservoir for the City of Bellingham.

Summary: The Partnership must assist Bellingham and Whatcom County in implementing a demonstration program regarding phosphorus loading into Lake Whatcom. The Partnership must assist the city and county in securing funding from federal and nongovernmental sources and work to secure funding commitments from the city and county as well. The demonstration program must include elements for prevention, education, compliance, and monitoring to reduce to a minimum the introduction of phosphorus-bearing materials into Lake Whatcom. Any grant made under this section must be matched by at least an equal amount from nonstate sources.

Votes on Final Passage:

Effective: July 26, 2009