H-3644

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, establish 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 and planning 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. Therefore, the legislature cannot permit any public port, especially one with assets critical to the state's economy, to make substantial capital improvements to its air transportation facilities without making certain that the port's plan is consistent with the needs of the state as expressed in its air transportation policy plan.

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 port district may construct a runway of one thousand or more feet before the air transportation commission has submitted its final report to the legislative transportation committee.

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 report to be presented to the legislative transportation committee by December 1, 1992.

(3) A review of the final draft of the Puget Sound air transportation committee's flight plan report in light of its findings and recommendations about air transportation policy. The review shall determine whether the flight plan findings are consistent with the findings and recommendations in the commission's final report. If they are not, the commission shall propose to the legislature alternatives to the flight plan recommendations.

(4) A review of the environmental, social, and economic costs associated with the expansion and operation of Washington state's air transportation system. The commission shall consider in its review, the values and attitudes of the state's citizens towards noise, air, and water pollution, land consumption, urban growth patterns, and overall environmental quality. It shall also assess 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. The commission shall recommend changes to mitigation practices if its assessment determines current or planned practices to be insufficient.

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.