S-3544.1  _______________________________________________

                         SENATE BILL 6319

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      56th Legislature     2000 Regular Session

By Senators Rasmussen, Morton, Stevens and Swecker

Read first time 01/13/2000.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Rural Economic Development.

Modifying references to dairy nutrient management.

    AN ACT Relating to dairy nutrients; and amending RCW 90.64.005 and 90.64.150.

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

    Sec. 1.  RCW 90.64.005 and 1998 c 262 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

    The legislature finds that there is a need to establish a clear and understandable process that provides for the proper and effective management of dairy nutrients that affect the quality of surface or ground waters in the state of Washington.  The legislature finds that there is a need for a program that will provide a stable and predictable business climate upon which dairy farms may base future investment decisions.

    The legislature finds that federal regulations require a permit program for dairies with over seven hundred head of mature cows and, other specified dairy farms that directly discharge into waters or are otherwise significant contributors of pollution.  The legislature finds that significant work has been ongoing over a period of time and that the intent of this chapter is to take the consensus that has been developed and place it into statutory form.

    It is also the intent of this chapter to establish an inspection and technical assistance program for dairy farms to address the discharge of pollution to surface and ground waters of the state that will lead to water quality compliance by the industry.  A further purpose is to create a balanced program involving technical assistance, regulation, and enforcement ((with coordination and oversight of the program by a committee composed of industry, agency, and other representatives)).  Furthermore, it is the objective of this chapter to maintain the administration of the water quality program as it relates to dairy operations at the state level.

    It is also the intent of this chapter to recognize the existing working relationships between conservation districts, the conservation commission, and the department of ecology in protecting water quality of the state.  A further purpose of this chapter is to provide statutory recognition of the coordination of the functions of conservation districts, the conservation commission, and the department of ecology pertaining to development of dairy ((waste)) nutrient management plans for the protection of water quality.

    Sec. 2.  RCW 90.64.150 and 1998 c 262 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

    The dairy ((waste)) nutrient management account is created in the custody of the state treasurer.  All receipts from monetary penalties levied pursuant to violations of this chapter must be deposited into the account.  Expenditures from the account may be used only for the commission to provide grants to local conservation districts for the sole purpose of assisting dairy producers to develop and fully implement dairy nutrient management plans.  Only the ((chairman)) chair of the commission or the ((chairman's)) chair's designee may authorize expenditures from the account.  The account is subject to allotment procedures under chapter 43.88 RCW, but an appropriation is not required for expenditures.

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