Z-0825

AN ACT Relating to stewardship assistance for owners of nonindustrial forests and woodlands; and adding a new chapter to Title 76 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature hereby finds and declares that:

(1) Over half of the private forest and woodland acreage in Washington is owned by landowners with less than five thousand acres who are not in the business of industrial handling or processing of timber products.

(2) Nonindustrial forests and woodlands are absorbing more demands and impacts on timber, fish, wildlife, water, recreation, and aesthetic resources, due to population growth and a shrinking commercial forest land base.

(3) Nonindustrial forests and woodlands provide valuable habitat for many of the state's numerous fish, wildlife, and plant species, including some threatened and endangered species, and many habitats can be protected and improved through knowledgeable forest resource stewardship.

(4) Providing for long-term stewardship of nonindustrial forests and woodlands in growth areas and rural areas is an important factor in maintaining Washington's special character and quality of life.

(5) In order to encourage and maintain nonindustrial forests and woodlands for their present and future benefit to all citizens, Washington's nonindustrial forest and woodland owners' long-term commitments to stewardship of forest resources must be recognized and supported by the citizens of Washington state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The purpose of this chapter is to:

(1) Promote the coordination and delivery of services with federal, state, and local agencies, colleges and universities, landowner assistance organizations, consultants, forest resource-related industries and environmental organizations to nonindustrial forest and woodland owners.

(2) Facilitate the production of forest products, enhancement of wildlife and fisheries, protection of streams and wetlands, culturing of special plants, availability of recreation opportunities and the maintenance of scenic beauty for the enjoyment and benefit of nonindustrial forest and woodland owners and the citizens of Washington by meeting the landowners' stewardship objectives.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Department" means the department of natural resources.

(2) "Landowner" means an individual, partnership, private, public or municipal corporation, Indian tribe, state agency, county, or local government entity, educational institution, or association of individuals of whatever nature that own nonindustrial forests and woodlands.

(3) "Nonindustrial forests and woodlands" are those suburban acreages and rural lands supporting or capable of supporting trees and other flora and fauna associated with a forest ecosystem, comprised of total individual land ownerships of less than five thousand acres and not directly associated with wood processing or handling facilities.

(4) "Stewardship" means managing by caring for, promoting, protecting, renewing, or reestablishing or both, forests and associated resources for the benefit of the landowner, the natural resources and the citizens of Washington state, in accordance with each landowner's objectives, best management practices, and legal requirements.

(5) "Cooperating organization" means federal, state, and local agencies, colleges and universities, landowner assistance organizations, consultants, forest resource-related industries, and environmental organizations which promote and maintain programs designed to provide information and technical assistance services to nonindustrial forest and woodland owners.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. In order to accomplish the purposes stated in section 2 of this act, the department may:

(1) Establish and maintain a nonindustrial forest and woodland owner assistance program, and through such a program, assist nonindustrial forest and woodland owners in meeting their stewardship objectives.

(2) Provide direct technical assistance through development of management plans, advice, and information to nonindustrial forest land owners to meet their stewardship objectives.

(3) Assist and facilitate efforts of cooperating organizations to provide stewardship education, information, technical assistance, and incentives to nonindustrial forest and woodland owners.

(4) Provide financial assistance to landowners and cooperating organizations.

(5) Appoint a stewardship advisory committee to assist in establishing and operating this program.

(6) Loan or rent surplus equipment to assist cooperating organizations and nonindustrial forest and woodland owners.

(7) Work with local governments to explain the importance of maintaining nonindustrial forests and woodlands.

(8) Take such other steps as are necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The department may:

(1) Receive and disburse any and all moneys contributed, allotted, or paid by the United States under authority of any act of congress for the purposes of this chapter.

(2) Receive such gifts, grants, bequests, and endowments and donations of moneys, labor, material, seedlings, and equipment from public or private sources as may be made for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of this chapter and may spend the gifts, grants, bequests, endowments, and donations as well as other moneys from public or private sources according to their terms.

(3) Charge fees for attendance at workshops and conferences, for various publications and other materials which the department may prepare.

(4) Enter into contracts with cooperating organizations having responsibility to carry out programs of similar purposes to this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. Sections 1 through 5 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 76 RCW.