Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

     Purpose: (1) Provide updates necessary to include the four new grant programs provided by the 2005 legislature in ESSB 5396 (chapter 79A.15 RCW) Farmlands preservation, riparian protection, state agency lands restoration-enhancement, state agency lands development-renovation; (2) clarify existing language.

     Citation of Existing Rules Affected by this Order: Repealing 2 [WAC 286-07-020 and 286-07-060]; and amending 5 [WAC 286-07-010, 286-07-040, 286-07-055, 286-07-065, and 286-07-075].

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 79A.15.030(8), 79A.15.060(1), 79A.15.070(5), 79A.15.120(4), 79A.15.130(4).

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 06-01-062 on December 19, 2005 [and WSR 06-02-078 on January 3, 2006].

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 4, Amended 5, Repealed 2.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 2, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 4, Amended 5, Repealed 2.

     Date Adopted: February 2, 2006.

Greg Lovelady

Rules Coordinator

OTS-8512.3

AMENDATORY SECTION(Amending WSR 96-08-044, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96)

WAC 286-27-010   ((Scope.)) What is the purpose of this chapter?   This chapter contains rules affecting the Washington wildlife and recreation grant program (WWRP) administered by the committee under chapter 79A.15 RCW ((43.98A.060(1) and 43.98A.070(5))). Additional provisions are contained in "General grant assistance rules," chapter 286-13 WAC. These moneys are available through the committee for projects in ((state parks, local parks, trails, water access, critical habitat, natural areas and urban wildlife habitat)) the following accounts and categories:

     (1) Farmlands preservation account.

     (2) Habitat conservation account:

     (a) Critical habitat category;

     (b) Natural areas category;

     (c) Urban wildlife habitat category; and

     (d) Restoration-enhancement on state lands category.

     (3) Outdoor recreation account:

     (a) State parks category;

     (b) Local parks category;

     (c) Trails category;

     (d) Water access category; and

     (e) Development-renovation on state lands category.

     (4) Riparian protection account.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1), 43.98A.070(5), 43.99.080(2), 46.09.240(1) and 77.12.720(4). 96-08-044, § 286-27-010, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.99 RCW. 91-17-010, § 286-27-010, filed 8/12/91, effective 9/12/91.]

     (1) At minimum the plan must include:

     (((1))) (a) A statement of the applicant's long-range goals and objectives;

     (((2))) (b) An inventory, or description of the planning area;

     (((3))) (c) An analysis of demand and need, that is, why actions are required;

     (((4))) (d) A description of how the planning process gave the public ample opportunity to be involved in development of the plan;

     (((5))) (e) A current capital improvement program of at least ((five)) six years;

     (((6))) (f) Evidence that this plan has been approved by the applicant's governing entity ((most appropriate to the plan's scope)). For example, a city ((or county-wide)) plan ((must)) would be approved at the council level and a county-wide plan at the county council or commission level. Plans with a different scope ((will)) would be approved by department heads, ((district rangers,)) regional managers/supervisors, etc.;

     (((7) Excepted are riparian zone habitat protection projects under RCW 43.98A.040 (1)(d), where planning requirements in section 329(6), chapter 235, Laws of 1997, shall apply rather than those listed in subsections (1) through (6) of this section.)) (2) A plan is not required for projects submitted in the farmlands preservation account.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1). 98-08-014, § 286-27-040, filed 3/18/98, effective 4/18/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1), 43.98A.070(5), 43.99.080(2), 46.09.240(1) and 77.12.720. 97-08-003, § 286-27-040, filed 3/20/97, effective 4/20/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1), 43.98A.070(5), 43.99.080(2), 46.09.240(1) and 77.12.720(4). 96-08-044, § 286-27-040, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96. Statutory Authority: Chapter 43.99 RCW. 91-17-010, § 286-27-040, filed 8/12/91, effective 9/12/91.]

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     (1) For ((fee, less-than-fee, and easement)) acquisition ((projects)) of perpetual interest in real property:

     (a) A legal description of the property acquired;

     (b) A conveyance to the state of Washington of the right to use the described real property for farmland, habitat conservation, and/or outdoor recreation purposes ((in perpetuity unless a term is specified in the project agreement)); and

     (c) ((A restriction on conversion of use of the land. That is, without prior approval of the committee, a facility acquired with money granted by the committee shall not be converted to a use other than that for which funds were originally approved. The committee shall only approve such a conversion under conditions which assure the substitution of other land of at least equal fair market value at the time of conversion, and of as nearly as feasible equivalent usefulness and location.

     (2) For lease acquisition projects, a binding agreement which contains a legal description of the property and rights acquired and which meets the following criteria. The interest:

     (a) Must be for at least fifty years unless precluded by state law;

     (b) May not be revocable at will;

     (c) Must have a value supported through standard appraisal techniques;

     (d) Must be paid for in lump sum at initiation;

     (e) May not be converted, during the lease period, to a use other than that for which funds were originally approved, without prior approval of the committee.)) Except as provided in WAC 286-27-066, agreement to a prohibition on conversion of use.

     (2) For acquisition of nonperpetual interest in real property:

     (a) A legal description of the property and a description of the interests acquired;

     (b) A conveyance to the state of Washington of the right to use the described real property for farmland, habitat conservation, and/or outdoor recreation purposes for the term of the lease or easement;

     (c) Except as provided in WAC 286-27-066, agreement to a prohibition on conversion of use;

     (d) A lease(s) or easement(s) period of at least fifty years except for:

     (i) Farmlands preservation account projects which shall be for at least twenty-five years;

     (ii) Projects that extend conservation reserve enhancement program leases which shall be for at least twenty-five years;

     (e) Is not revocable at will;

     (f) Has a value supported through appraisal methods approved by the committee;

     (g) Terms of payment between the sponsor and seller.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1). 98-08-014, § 286-27-055, filed 3/18/98, effective 4/18/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1), 43.98A.070(5), 43.99.080(2), 46.09.240(1) and 77.12.720(4). 96-08-044, § 286-27-055, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96.]

     (1) Unless otherwise approved by the committee, environmental restoration and enhancement projects granted WWRP funds must continue to provide the functions for which the funds were originally approved and not be converted to any other use.

     (2) When approving such a conversion, the committee shall require the grant recipient or successor to provide for environmental restoration or enhancement as a replacement. When approving the replacement, committee considerations shall include the intended ecological benefits of the replacement compared to those of the original project and likelihood that the replacement project will be successful.

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     (iv) Includes only elements eligible under the committee's program from which funds were originally allocated.)) Yes.

     (1) Properties, structures, and facilities developed with the assistance of money granted by the committee shall not be converted except as provided in WAC 286-27-066.

     (2) Properties, structures, and facilities developed with the assistance of money granted by the committee shall be built, operated, and maintained according to applicable regulations, laws, building codes, and health standards to assure a reasonably safe condition and to prevent premature deterioration.

     (3) Properties, structures, and facilities intended for public use shall meet state and federal accessibility guidelines and nondiscrimination laws, regulations, and policies; be maintained to a standard that encourages use; and be open and available to the public at reasonable hours and times of the year.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1). 98-08-014, § 286-27-065, filed 3/18/98, effective 4/18/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1), 43.98A.070(5), 43.99.080(2), 46.09.240(1) and 77.12.720(4). 96-08-044, § 286-27-065, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96.]

     (2) The committee shall assure the substitution or replacement of interest in real property and/or facilities in accordance with this chapter.

     (3) The committee shall only approve conversions when:

     (a) All practical alternatives to the conversion have been evaluated and rejected; and

     (b) The sponsor or successor will provide another interest in real property(s) and/or facilities to serve as a replacement. The replacement must:

     (i) Be of equivalent or greater usefulness and location;

     (ii) Be administered by the same sponsor or successor unless otherwise approved by the committee;

     (iii) Satisfy need(s) identified in the most recent plan(s) required under WAC 286-27-040;

     (iv) Be eligible to receive a grant in the WWRP account or category from which funds were originally allocated, unless otherwise authorized by the committee;

     (v) If acquisition of interests in real property: Be interest in real property(ies) of at least equal market value and public benefit at the time of replacement;

     (vi) If a development: Provide a facility of at least equal market value and public benefit as that which existed at the time of the original investment of WWRP funds; and

     (vii) If a restoration or enhancement project: Provide restoration or enhancement activities necessary to replicate the ecological benefit intended by the project.

     (4) Projects authorized by the Interstate Commerce Commission under section 8(d) of the National Trails System Act, 16 U.S.C. § 1247(d) shall convert to railroad purposes automatically upon reactivation of a line for rail purposes under an ICC order. Substitution or replacement with interest in real property, facilities or moneys which are of at least equal market value at the time of replacement may be required.

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     (2) The sale of the farmland and use of funds to purchase additional farmland properties must be approved by the committee.

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[Statutory Authority: None supplied by agency. 98-08-014, § 286-27-075, filed 3/18/98, effective 4/18/98. Statutory Authority: RCW 43.98A.060(1), 43.98A.070(5), 43.99.080(2), 46.09.240(1) and 77.12.720(4). 96-08-044, § 286-27-075, filed 3/29/96, effective 4/29/96.]

     The following sections of the Washington Administrative Code are repealed:

WAC 286-27-020	Effect.
WAC 286-27-060	Project conversions.