SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5393

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

As of February 5, 2017

Title: An act relating to including fish passage barrier removal projects that comply with the forest practices rules in the streamlined permit process provided in RCW 77.55.181.

Brief Description: Including fish passage barrier removal projects that comply with the forest practices rules in the streamlined permit process provided in RCW 77.55.181.

Sponsors: Senators Warnick, Liias, Takko and Pearson.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources & Parks: 1/31/17.

Brief Summary of Bill

  • Provides streamlined review under the existing fish habitat enhancement project approval process for fish passage barrier removal projects that are approved by the Department of Natural Resources under forest practices rules.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: Fish Habitat Enhancement Process Permitting. Certain fish habitat enhancement projects may qualify for streamlined review and approval process by the Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW). The statute states that qualifying projects are expected to result in beneficial impacts to the environment and:

To receive streamlined review, a project must:

Integration of Forest Practices and Hydraulic Project Permitting. In 2012, the Legislature directed the integration of hydraulic project review into forest practices permitting. The integration process included:

Summary of Bill: Fish passage barrier removal projects that are approved by Department of Natural Resources (DNR) under forest practices rules are eligible for streamlined review and approval under the fish habitat enhancement process permitting process.

Forest practices applicants must provide copies of their FPA to appropriate local governments for purposes of their review and comment. DFW must forward any comments to DNR. Permitting decisions must be consistent with forest practices rules.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: This bill will help promote fish passage projects on forestland, streamlining permitting without diminishing environmental protection. The stakeholders have identified some technical corrections to ensure the bill works as intended. Landowners agreed to remove fish passage barriers through the Forests and Fish agreement, and this bill supports these projects on lands owned by large and small forest landowners.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Judy Warnick, Prime Sponsor; Adrian Miller, Pope Resources; Jeff Davis, WDFW; Stephen Bernath, DNR; Heather Hansen, WA Farm Forestry Assn.; Jason Callahan, Washington Forest Protection Association.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: No one.