FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1658

                         C 328 L 95

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Providing that filled or altered wetlands shall not be considered or treated as wetlands.

Sponsors:  House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology (originally sponsored by Representatives Pennington, Hatfield, Morris, Basich, Boldt, Chandler and Benton).

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks

Background:  Wetlands can be regulated by federal, state, or local entities.

The Department of Fish and Wildlife issues hydraulic project approval (HPA) permits for work that affects waterbodies, including wetlands.  The purpose of the permit is ensure that the project does not adversely affect fish life.

State law directs the department to expedite the processing of HPA permits in certain specified areas affected by the Mt. St. Helens eruption.

Summary:  The Department of Fish and Wildlife cannot require mitigation for adverse effects to fish life or habitat, if the adverse impact was caused by the legal filling of a wetland in response to the eruption of Mt. St. Helens. 

Votes on Final Passage:

House     97 0

Senate    48 0 (Senate amended)

House     96 0 (House concurred)

Effective:  July 23, 1995