Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research
BILL
ANALYSIS
Environment & Energy Committee
HB 1225
Brief Description: Concerning the permitting for certain department of fish and wildlife hatchery maintenance activities.
Sponsors: Representatives Chapman, Tharinger and Lekanoff; by request of Department of Fish and Wildlife.
Brief Summary of Bill
  • Exempts certain actions taken by the Department of Fish and Wildlife to maintain state fish hatcheries from Shoreline Management Act permits, variances, and local government review.
Hearing Date: 1/30/23
Staff: Robert Hatfield (786-7117).
Background:

Shoreline Management Act Permits. 
The Shoreline Management Act (SMA) of 1971 requires that most developments near state shorelines be consistent with shoreline master programs, which are plans developed by local governments for the uses of their shoreline areas.  Certain projects require a substantial development permit that is reviewed by the local government and filed with the Department of Ecology (Ecology).  Projects that require a substantial development permit include developments exceeding a cost of $8,504, as adjusted for inflation by the Office of Financial Management in July 2022, or any development that materially interferes with the normal public use of the water or shorelines of the state.  In certain property-specific circumstances, variance permits or conditional use permits may be issued by a local government that allow for development that is not consistent with the local shoreline master program.

 

Certain projects and activities, such as maintenance, repair, or replacement activities within the roadway prism of state highways, or the lease or ownership area of state ferry terminals and transit facilities, are exempted from requirements to obtain a substantial development permit, conditional use permit, variance, letter of exemption, or other local government review conducted to implement the SMA.
Summary of Bill:

The following Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) maintenance activities necessary to maintain the operation of state-managed fish hatcheries, including water intakes and discharges, fish ladders, water and power conveyances, weirs, and racks and traps used for fish collection, do not require a substantial development permit, conditional use permit, variance, letter of exemption, or other review conducted by a local government pursuant to the Shoreline Management Act (SMA):

  • maintenance, repair, or replacement of equipment and components that support the larger hatchery facility and occur within the existing footprint of fish hatchery facilities;
  • construction or installation of safety structures and equipment;
  • maintenance occurring within existing water intake and outflow sites; or
  • construction undertaken in response to unforeseen, extraordinary circumstances that is necessary to prevent a decline, lapse, or cessation of operation of a state fish hatchery facility.

 

The WDFW must ensure compliance with the substantive requirements of the SMA for fish hatchery maintenance projects described above.  Fish hatchery maintenance projects must not adversely affect public access or shoreline ecological functions.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 24, 2023.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.