AN ACT Relating to natural resource management research; amending RCW 76.12.210; and adding new sections to chapter 76.12 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that conflicts over the use of natural resources essential to the state's residents, especially forest and ocean resources, have increased dramatically. There are growing demands that these resources be fully utilized for their commodity values, while simultaneously there are increased demands for protection and preservation of these same resources. While these competing demands are most often viewed as mutually exclusive, recent research has suggested that commodity production and ecological values can be integrated. It is the intent of the legislature to foster and support the research and education necessary to provide sound scientific information on which to base sustainable forest and marine industries, and at the same time sustain the ecological values demanded by much of the public.

Sec. 2. RCW 76.12.210 and 1989 c 424 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

((~~(1)~~)) The Olympic ((~~institute for old growth forest and ocean research and education~~)) natural resources center is hereby created at the University of Washington in the college of forest resources and the college of ocean and fishery sciences. The ((~~institute~~)) center shall ((~~be located~~)) maintain facilities and programs in the western portion of the Olympic Peninsula. Its purpose shall be to demonstrate innovative management methods which successfully integrate environmental and economic interests into pragmatic management of forest and ocean resources. The ((~~institute~~)) center shall combine research and educational opportunities with experimental forestry, oceans management, and traditional management knowledge into an overall program which demonstrates that management based on sound economic principles is made superior when combined with new methods of management based on ecological principles. ((~~The institute shall be jointly supported by the college of forest resources and the college of ocean and fishery science.~~

(2) There is hereby appropriated from the general fund to the University of Washington the sum of one hundred fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, for the purpose of preparing a development plan for the institute. The development plan shall involve policy makers from state, federal, tribal, business, and environmental interests in the preparation of management plans and as it develops programs and shall be guided by the recommendation of the old growth commission appointed by the commissioner of public lands.)) The programs developed by the center shall include the following:

(1) Research and education on a broad range of ocean resources problems and opportunities in the region, such as estuarine processes, ocean and coastal management, offshore development, fisheries and shellfish enhancement, and coastal business development, tourism, and recreation. In developing this component of the center's program, the center shall collaborate with coastal educational institutions such as Grays Harbor community college and Peninsula community college;

(2) Research and education on forest resources management issues on the landscape, ecosystem, or regional level, including issues that cross legal and administrative boundaries;

(3) Research and education that broadly integrates marine and terrestrial issues, including interactions of marine, aquatic, and terrestrial ecosystems, and that identifies options and opportunities to simultaneously address economic and ecological issues associated with these ecosystems. Where appropriate, programs shall address issues and opportunities that cross legal and administrative boundaries;

(4) Research and education on natural resources and their social and economic implications, and on alternative economic and social bases for sustainable, healthy, resource-based communities;

(5) Educational opportunities such as workshops, short courses, and continuing education for resource professionals, policy forums, information exchanges including international exchanges where appropriate, conferences, student research, and public education; and (6) Creation of a neutral forum where parties with diverse interests are encouraged to address and resolve their conflicts.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The Olympic natural resources center shall operate under the authority of the board of regents of the University of Washington. It shall be administered by a director appointed jointly by the deans of the college of forest resources and the college of ocean and fishery sciences. The director shall be a member of the faculty of one of those colleges. The director shall appoint and maintain a scientific or technical committee, and other committees as necessary, to advise the director on the efficiency, effectiveness, and quality of the center's activities.

A policy advisory board consisting of eleven members shall be appointed by the governor to advise the deans and the director on policies for the center that are consistent with the purposes of the center. Membership on the policy advisory board shall broadly represent the various interests concerned with the purposes of the center, including state and federal government, environmental organizations, local community, timber industry, and Indian tribes.

Service on boards and committees of the center shall be without compensation but actual travel expenses incurred in connection with service to the center may be reimbursed from appropriated funds in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The center may solicit gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises, whether real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise, to be directed to the center for carrying out the purposes of the center. The center may solicit contracts for work, financial and in-kind contributions, and support from private industries, interest groups, federal and state sources, and other sources. It may also use separately appropriated funds of the University of Washington for the center's activities.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1, 3, and 4 of this act are each added to chapter 76.12 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.