PROPOSED RULES
GORGE COMMISSION
Original Notice.
Exempt from preproposal statement of inquiry under RCW 34.05.310(4).
Title of Rule: Appeals from county ordinances. This rule is the appellate procedural rule for filing an appeal of a county land use decision in the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area.
Purpose: The purpose of the rule is to define the process and standards used by the Gorge Commission in hearing appeals of county land use decisions in the National Scenic Area.
Other Identifying Information: Commission Rule 350-60.
Statutory Authority for Adoption: 16 U.S.C. § 544c(b), RCW 42.97.015.
Statute Being Implemented: 16 U.S.C. § 544c(b), RCW 42.97.015.
Summary: This rule making is to amend the rules to clarify, simplify, and expedite the appeals process.
Reasons Supporting Proposal: The proposal contains amendments that have long been sought by appellate parties.
Name of Agency Personnel Responsible for Drafting, Implementation and Enforcement: Jeffrey Litwak, Counsel, P.O. Box 730, White Salmon, WA 98672, (509) 493-3323.
Name of Proponent: Columbia River Gorge Commission, governmental.
Rule is not necessitated by federal law, federal or state court decision.
Explanation of Rule, its Purpose, and Anticipated Effects: This rule governs the Gorge Commission process and standards for appeals of land use decisions by the executive director of the Gorge Commission. The Gorge Commission has implemented this rule since 1993 in substantially the same form. Over the past ten years, the Gorge Commission and frequent appellants under the rules have identified changes that will clarify, simplify, and expedite the process.
Proposal Changes the Following Existing Rules: Significant changes include: Allowing filing by fax for uncontested motions (350-60-040(5)); allowing filing to be accomplished by mail instead of by receipt at the commission office (350-60-040(5)); allowing shortened records as stipulated by parties (350-60-60 [350-60-060] (1)(f)); requiring parties to note whether they believe the case could be resolved using ADR, in which case the Gorge Commission would facilitate ADR (350-60-075); clarifying the process for oral argument to provide a time for questions prior to argument, uninterrupted oral argument, and a time for questions after oral argument (350-60-120(4)); a process for filing motions and responses to motions, and for expedited motions (350-60-130); that Gorge Commission will issue orders on motions for intervention (350-60-160(7)); allowing stipulated motions for extensions of time to be automatic for the first one, and presumed granted for all subsequent extensions (350-60-190 (4) - (6)); allowing for involuntary dismissal of an appeal by the commission when the appeal is moot or not diligently prosecuted (350-60-125); allowing a county to request a voluntary remand of a case under certain circumstances (350-60-220(2)); a special process for filing of an appeal after expiration of the appeal period under certain extraordinary and rare circumstances (350-60-240).
The Gorge Commission is especially interested in public comment concerning proposed rule 350-60-240, including alternative means of addressing the problem identified in that rule.
No small business economic impact statement has been prepared under chapter 19.85 RCW. The rules are process and procedural and do not target small businesses.
RCW 34.05.328 does not apply to this rule adoption. The proposed amendments are not a "significant legislative rule" under RCW 34.05.328 (3)(c)(iii).
Hearing Location: Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Drive, The Dalles, Oregon, on June 10, 2003, at 9:00 a.m.
Assistance for Persons with Disabilities: Contact Nancy Andring by June 6, 2003, 9:00 a.m.
Submit Written Comments to: Columbia River Gorge Commission, P.O. Box 730, White Salmon, WA 98672, fax (509) 493-2229, by June 2, 2003.
Date of Intended Adoption: June 10, 2003.
April 14, 2003
Nancy Andring
Rules Coordinator
Reviser's note: The material contained in this filing exceeded the page-count limitations of WAC 1-21-040 for appearance in this issue of the Register. It will appear in the 03-10 issue of the Register.