HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1572

BYRepresentatives Rust, Brough, K. Wilson, Cole, Jacobsen, Sutherland, Miller, Brekke and Pruitt; by request of Governor Gardner

Creating a wetlands management committee.

House Committe on Environmental Affairs

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (13)

      Signed by Representatives Rust, Chair; Valle, Vice Chair; Brekke, Ferguson, Jesernig, Lux, May, Pruitt, Schoon, D. Sommers, Sprenkle, Unsoeld and Walker.

House Staff:Bonnie Austin (786-7107)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS

JANUARY 25, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Wetlands have long been viewed by the public as wastelands or swamps with no function other than serving as a breeding ground for irritating insects and dangerous diseases.  However, wetlands serve several important environmental functions, including: improving water quality by filtering out sediments, excess nutrients, and toxic chemicals; providing flood control through storing and slowing flood waters; providing essential feeding, nesting, breeding, and hiding places for fish and wildlife species; adding to ground water supply; and reducing erosion from shorelines.  Wetlands also provide agricultural, recreational, and educational benefits.

According to the Department of Ecology (Ecology), over half of the state's wetlands have been drained, filled, dredged, or altered, and over ninety percent of wetlands in urban estuaries have been destroyed.  Although development permits are required for certain wetlands in the state, the loss of wetlands is still occurring.

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service has conducted a small scale inventory of Washington's wetlands as part of the National Wetlands Inventory. This information could be accessed by the state to assist in maintaining a comprehensive wetlands inventory.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  A wetlands committee consisting of eight members of the state legislature, and members of the public ports, the agricultural community, the development community, the environmental community, industry, the timber industry, local government, Indian tribes, hunting and fishing associations, and the public is established to develop a wetlands report.  The report shall be presented to the 1989 legislature.

The wetlands report shall address:  a quantitative assessment of Washington's wetlands; a qualitative assessment of the functions and values of the state's wetland types; the extent of wetlands alteration; the definition of "wetlands" as it applies to regulatory programs;  legislative options to reduce adverse impacts to wetlands; the need for a unified state mitigation policy; the need for public education; a summary of existing governmental programs that deal with wetlands; and an examination of landowner incentive programs.

The committee will be staffed by Ecology personnel.  Ecology shall also be responsible for developing implementation options and coordinating with other governmental agencies to utilize their wetlands technical expertise.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The wetlands committee shall also examine landowner incentive programs. The appropriation to the Department of Ecology is deleted.

Fiscal Note:      Requested January 26, 1988.

Effective Date:The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Steven Morrison, Thurston Regional Planning Council;  Joan Edwards, Sierra Club;  Nancy Pearson, Washington State League of Women Voters; Maxine Keesling, citizen; Ed Manary, Department of Fisheries; Pat McElroy, Department of Natural Resources; Bill Alkire, Department of Ecology; Elizabeth Tabbutt, Washington Environmental Council.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    The state is rapidly losing wetlands, and they are a valuable environmental resource.  We need a better understanding of the value and extent of wetlands in the state.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.