SENATE BILL REPORT

                            SB 6417

                    AS OF JANUARY 27, 1994

Brief Description:  Requiring certain counties to establish uniform wetlands regulatory policies.

SPONSORS: Senators Owen, Oke, Prentice, Vognild, Nelson, Haugen and Winsley

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Staff:  Kari Guy (786‑7464)

Hearing Dates: January 31, 1994

BACKGROUND:

Under the Growth Management Act, each county and city must designate critical areas, including wetlands, and adopt development regulations to protect these critical areas.  Of the 29 counties planning under the Growth Management Act, 25 have completed the critical area regulations.  Of the 208 cities planning under the Growth Management Act, 196 have completed the critical area regulations.  There are no requirements for consistency between counties and cities in the development of wetland regulations.

SUMMARY:

Legislative findings are made that the complexity resulting from the large number of regulations regarding wetlands affects the public's interest in the conservation of wetlands, and leads to inequities and duplication in the permitting process. 

Each county planning under the Growth Management Act is required to adopt uniform wetlands policies to be implemented by the county and each city within the county, using a collaborative planning process.  The county-wide policies shall include both regulatory and nonregulatory tools to protect the functions and values of wetlands.  The uniform policies and regulations may be implemented differently by the county and by cities within the county. 

These provisions will not apply to the ten counties not planning under the Growth Management Act.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  requested January 21, 1994