FINAL BILL REPORT

SB 6481

C 219 L 10

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Clarifying which local governments have jurisdiction over conversion-related forest practices.

Sponsors: Senators Morton, Schoesler, Holmquist, Hewitt, King, Delvin and Swecker.

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation

House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Background: The requirement to provide notice or submit an application prior to conducting forest practices varies depending on the specific type of activity to be conducted. Forest practices are divided into Classes I through IV, based on a particular activity's potential impact on public resources.

Class IV forest practices generally consist of activities where conversion to non-forestry use is at issue or that have the potential for substantial impact on the environment. This includes harvesting within an urban growth area. Class IV forest practices must be preapproved by either the Department of Natural Resources or an authorized local government.

Counties planning under the Growth Management Act (GMA), and the cities within those counties, must adopt regulations governing certain forest practices if more than 25 conversion-related Class IV forest practices were filed between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005.

Counties planning under the GMA, and the cities within those counties, may choose to adopt regulations governing certain forest practices if 25 or fewer conversion-related Class IV forest practices were filed between January 1, 2003, and December 31, 2005.

Counties not planning under the GMA, and the cities within them, have the discretionary authority to adopt regulations and assume jurisdiction over Class IV forest practices.

Summary: Those counties planning under the GMA who are required to adopt forest practice regulations are narrowed to counties with a population of 100,000 or more and the cities within those counties.

Votes on Final Passage: