H-0921.2 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1389
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Fraser, Winsley, Rust and Belcher.
Read first time January 28, 1991. Referred to Committee on Environmental Affairs.
AN ACT Relating to aquatic plants; adding new sections to chapter 43.21A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 46.16 RCW; creating a new section; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature hereby finds that eurasion water milfoil and other aquatic weeds can adversely affect fish populations, reduce habitat for desirable plant and wildlife species, and decrease public recreational opportunities. The legislature further finds that the spread of aquatic weeds is a state-wide problem and requires a coordinated response among state agencies, local governments, and the public. It is therefore the intent of the legislature to establish a funding source to reduce the propagation of eurasion water milfoil and other aquatic weeds and to manage the problems created by such aquatic plants.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.21A RCW to read as follows:
The aquatic weeds account is hereby created in the state treasury. Expenditures from this account may only be used as provided in section 4 of this act. All earnings from the investment of balances in the aquatic weeds account, except as provided in RCW 43.84.090, shall be deposited into the aquatic weeds account. Moneys in the account may be spent only after appropriation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 46.16 RCW to read as follows:
In addition to the fee required in RCW 46.16.065, private passenger car one or two-wheel trailers of two thousand pounds gross weight or less, shall annually pay a fee of three dollars. The proceeds of this fee shall be deposited in the aquatic weeds account under section 2 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 43.21A RCW to read as follows:
Funds in the aquatic weeds account may be appropriated to the department of ecology to develop a coordinated lake management program to:
(1) Develop public education programs relating to preventing the propagation and spread of aquatic weeds;
(2) Issue grants to state agencies and local government to remove, reduce, or manage aquatic weeds;
(3) Provide technical assistance to local governments, citizen groups, property owners, and lake management districts; and
(4) Fund demonstration or pilot projects consistent with the purposes of this section.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The sum of one million five hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the aquatic weeds account to the department of ecology for the purposes of section 4 of this act.