BILL REQ. #:  H-1867.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/17/11.   

     AN ACT Relating to helping to ensure the viability of small forest landowners; amending RCW 76.09.368; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The adaptive management program established under WAC 222-12-045 shall, under the direction of the forest practices board and using legislative appropriations specifically made for this purpose, prioritize the exploration of alternative low-impact harvest options for small forest landowners, as that term is defined in RCW 76.13.120. This effort must include the consideration of methods to provide small forest landowners with access to efficient, lower cost alternative plans as provided in RCW 76.09.368 and alternative restrictions for smaller harvest areas.
     (2) The forest practices board shall assist the adaptive management program with the requirements of this section through the provision of:
     (a) Professional facilitation to the adaptive management process; and
     (b) Means for appropriate small forest landowner representation.
     (3) In completing the requirements of this section, the forest practices board and the adaptive management program must consult with the small forest landowner office advisory committee created in RCW 76.13.110.
     (4) The adaptive management program must, by no later than September 1, 2012, provide to the forest practices board and to the legislature, consistent with RCW 43.01.036, a written report describing options for alternative low-impact harvests, alternative plan processes, or alternative harvest restrictions.
     (5) This section expires July 31, 2013.

Sec. 2   RCW 76.09.368 and 2002 c 120 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature intends that small forest landowners have access to alternate plan processes or alternate harvest restrictions, or both if necessary, that meet the public resource protection standard set forth in RCW 76.09.370(3), but which also lowers the overall cost of regulation to small forest landowners including, but not limited to, timber value forgone, layout costs, and operating costs. The forest practices board shall consult with the small forest landowner office advisory committee in developing these alternate approaches. ((By July 1, 2003, the forest practices board shall provide the legislature with a written report that describes the board's progress in developing alternate plan processes or alternate harvest restrictions, or both if necessary, that meet legislative intent.))
     (2) As used in this section, "small forest landowner" has the same meaning as defined in RCW 76.13.120(2).