S-2359               _______________________________________________

                                         SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL NO. 5984

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology (originally sponsored by Senator Kreidler)

Read first time 3/6/87.

AN ACT Relating to wetlands protection; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     By January 1, 1988, the department of ecology shall submit a  report to the legislature on the need for alternative methods of expanding jurisdiction over wetlands pursuant to the shoreline management act, chapter 90.58 RCW.  The report shall review:  (1) The need for additional inventories of wetlands within the state including necessary mapping; (2) distinction between wetland types and means for identifying wetlands critical for water quality, biological productivity, flood water retention, and other natural benefits; and (3) existing local, state, and federal regulation of land uses affecting wetlands.  The report shall make recommendations for legislative action if necessary, including proposed allocation of programmatic responsibilities for mapping, conducting inventories, identification of critical wetlands, and development of land use guidelines and shoreline master programs relating to wetlands.