AN ACT Relating to air transportation; amending RCW 47.86.030; adding a new section to chapter 53.08 RCW; creating a new section; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that an integrated air transportation system with efficient intermodal linkages is vital to the economic and social vitality of the state. Coordination and cooperation among public agencies and between the public and private sector is crucial to the development of such a system. In 1990, the legislature created the air transportation commission to develop an air transportation strategy, implicitly based upon the coordination and cooperation of these entities.

Specifically, the commission will assess the state-wide implications of local and regional air transportation planning, recommend specific goals for air transportation, and define the relationship between air transportation and environmental and economic policy goals. It will also formulate state-wide policy recommendations, and coordinate air transportation with state-wide transportation system planning.

Clearly, the commission's work will assist the legislature in developing a comprehensive air transportation policy that will sustain economic development and incorporate the legislature's recently adopted growth strategies; provided, however, that nothing contained herein shall be construed to prevent any county-wide or multicounty planning council created pursuant to RCW 36.70A.210, regional transportation planning organization created pursuant to chapter 47.80 RCW, municipal corporation, special district, political subdivision or any other unit of local government from proceeding with the planning process pursuant to the requirements of the Growth Management Act, chapter 36.70A RCW or be construed to prevent compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act, chapter 43.21C RCW or with the National Environmental Policy Act, 42 U.S.C. Secs. 4321 through 4370b.

The final report of the air transportation commission to the legislative transportation committee is due by December 1, 1994, with an interim report to that committee by December 1, 1992.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 53.08 RCW to read as follows:

No political subdivision or municipal corporation of the state of Washington in a county in the western part of the state, as divided by

the summit of the cascade mountain range, and with a population of one hundred fifty thousand or more on January 1, 1992, may construct any runway of one thousand feet or more or cause any runway to be extended before the air transportation commission has submitted its final report to the legislative transportation committee which shall occur no later than December 1, 1994.

Sec. 3. RCW 47.86.030 and 1991 c 231 s 7 are each amended to read as follows:

The commission shall conduct studies to determine Washington's long-range air transportation policy, including an assessment of intermodal needs, and to assess the impacts of increasing air traffic upon surrounding communities, including an evaluation of noise mitigation and surface transportation impacts at existing facilities, and the potential impact at new or expanded facilities.

The studies shall include, but are not limited to the following:

(1) The feasibility of acquiring the Stampede Pass rail line for use as a utility corridor, intermodal high speed transportation corridor or other transportation uses. The study shall include an examination of the ownership of the Stampede Pass rail line right of way and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of preserving the Stampede Pass rail line corridor. It shall include interested public and private agencies when conducting the study. The commission shall encourage local communities and the private sector to financially participate in the study. The commission shall make a presentation of the feasibility findings to the legislative transportation committee on or before December 1, 1990.

(2) Recommendations to the legislature on future Washington state air transportation policy, including the expansion of existing and potential air carrier and reliever facilities and the siting of such new facilities, specifically taking into consideration intermodal needs. The commission shall consider the development of wayports in eastern Washington, taking into account similar developments in Japan and Germany, in order to reduce congestion resulting from rapid growth in the Puget Sound region. The commission shall coordinate its study of airport siting policy issues with the efforts of the high-speed ground transportation steering committee.

The commission shall submit findings and recommendations to the legislative transportation committee by December 1, 1994, with ((~~an interim~~)) completed reports to be presented to the legislative transportation committee ((~~by December 1, 1992~~)) on the dates as provided in subsection (3) of this section.

(3) A report on the following work program projects by December 1, 1992:

(a) Evaluation of the importance of air transportation in the economic and social vitality of the state including costs and effects of delay of air capacity expansion;

(b) Air transportation demand, aviation industry trends, and air capacity in Washington through 2020;

(c) A review of the final draft of the Puget Sound air transportation committee's flight plan assessments of air capacity and demand.

(4) A transportation systems planning evaluation of air transportation planning options in Washington by July 1, 1993.

(5) The work program project reports as provided in subsection (3) of this section and the policy recommendations of the commission shall be transmitted to regional transportation planning organizations created pursuant to chapter 47.80 RCW. Each regional transportation planning organization shall consider the commission's project reports and policy recommendations when adopting its regional transportation plan and in its review of local comprehensive plans for consistency with the regional transportation plans.

(6) A review of the environmental, social, and economic costs associated with Washington state's air transportation system. The commission shall review and comment upon the effectiveness and reasonableness of current or planned practices to mitigate the adverse environmental effects of operating, developing, or expanding the state's air transportation system.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.