H-1752

AN ACT Relating to a Washington coastal resources center; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that higher education opportunities in the area of coastal resource protection and management in Washington are essential to adequately protect and manage coastal resources and to ensure the well-being of local economies that depend on these coastal resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. There is hereby created the Washington coastal resources program, administered jointly by the University of Washington sea grant program staff and Grays Harbor College. A program coordinator shall be hired, jointly supported by the University of Washington and Grays Harbor College, and shall be located at Grays Harbor College. The program goals shall be to identify resource problems and solutions and needs and opportunities for research and public education, in the areas of freshwater, marine, and estuarine ecosystem management and preservation. The program shall be designed to complement efforts already in place within the Olympic natural resources center. By June 30, 1993, the program shall:

(1) Identify at-risk coastal resources in southwest Washington and on the Olympic peninsula;

(2) Develop strategies for maintaining or improving the at-risk resources identified under subsection (1) of this section;

(3) Assess the programmatic needs, siting options, and capital and operating costs of, and develop complete construction design for, an environmental education center at Grays Harbor College and for a major marine and estuarine resource center in the vicinity of Westport, and develop a conceptual plan for this center;

(4) Provide sea grant marine advisory and education programming for the southwest Washington coastal region in conjunction with Grays Harbor College, including applied research, technology transfer, workshops and conferences on marine coastal and estuarine resources and their wise use and enhancement, and on economic and political aspects of local natural resource management;

(5) In cooperation with local and state agencies, develop the framework for and network of public education facilities such as viewing areas, interpretive centers, and roadside interpretive signs. The facilities shall provide information on freshwater, marine, and estuarine ecosystems and wise natural resource use and protection. Upgrade and maintenance of existing facilities shall be emphasized.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The University of Washington and Grays Harbor College shall appoint an advisory committee to advise them on program policies and to assist in setting priorities for the coastal resources program. The advisory committee shall comprise, at a minimum, the following representation:

(a) One representative from the department of natural resources;

(b) One representative from the department of wildlife;

(d) One county planner from Grays Harbor county;

(e) One county planner from Jefferson county;

(f) One county planner from Pacific county;

(g) One representative from the economic development association of Grays Harbor county;

(h) One representative from native American tribes; and

(i) One representative from port districts.

(2) The University of Washington and Grays Harbor College shall also seek participation on the advisory committee from the national marine fisheries service, the national parks service, and the United States forest service, and the United States army corps of engineers.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act shall expire July 1, 1993.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. (1) The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the state general fund to the University of Washington, for the purpose of administering and implementing the coastal resources program.

(2) The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the state general fund to Grays Harbor College, for the purpose of administering and implementing the coastal resources program.