H-0960.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1539
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 54th Legislature 1995 Regular Session
By Representatives Buck, Ebersole, Fuhrman, Wolfe, Chandler, Chappell, Kremen, Grant, Kessler, Basich, Hargrove, L. Thomas, G. Fisher, Johnson, Dyer, Elliot, Goldsmith, McMahan, Clements, Cooke, Brumsickle and Mastin
Read first time 01/30/95. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to watershed restoration projects; adding new sections to chapter 89.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35.63 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 35A.63 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.70 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 36.70A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.21A RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.21C RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.30 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 75.20 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 90.70 RCW; and making an appropriation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature declares that it is the goal of the state of Washington to preserve and restore the natural resources of the state and, in particular, fish and wildlife and their habitat. It is further the policy of the state insofar as possible to utilize the volunteer organizations who have demonstrated their commitments to these goals.
To this end, it is the intent of the legislature to minimize the expense and delays caused by unnecessary bureaucratic process in securing permits for projects that preserve or restore native fish and wildlife habitat.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout sections 1 through 5 of this act.
(1) "Watershed restoration plan" means a plan developed or sponsored by the department of fish and wildlife, the department of ecology, the department of natural resources, a county, or a conservation district established under chapter 89.08 RCW.
(2) "Watershed restoration project" means a project to implement a watershed plan or a part of a watershed plan.
(3) "Minor restoration project" means a project that involves less than ten miles of streamreach and less than five cubic yards of material moved or disturbed.
(4) "Major restoration project" means any project other than a minor project.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. By January 1, 1996, the Washington conservation commission shall develop, in consultation with the department of fish and wildlife, department of ecology, department of natural resources, the Washington association of counties, and the association of Washington cities, a single-application process by which all permits for a watershed restoration project may be obtained by a sponsoring agency for a project developed by the agency or sponsored by the agency on behalf of a volunteer organization.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Each agency of the state and unit of local government that claims jurisdiction or the right to require permits or fees as a condition of allowing a watershed restoration project to proceed shall designate an office or official as a designated recipient of project applications and shall inform the conservation commission of the designation.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. All agencies of the state and of local government shall accept the single application developed under section 3 of this act and process the application without charge unless, within thirty days of receipt in the case of a minor project or within ninety days in the case of a major project, the agency can demonstrate that the project is in conflict with an existing program of the agency or in conflict with state or federal law.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 35.63 RCW to read as follows:
A permit required under this chapter for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. A new section is added to chapter 35A.63 RCW to read as follows:
A permit required under this chapter for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. A new section is added to chapter 36.70 RCW to read as follows:
A permit required under this chapter for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. A new section is added to chapter 36.70A RCW to read as follows:
A permit required under this chapter for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. A new section is added to chapter 43.21A RCW to read as follows:
A permit required by the department for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. A new section is added to chapter 43.21C RCW to read as follows:
A permit required under this chapter for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. A new section is added to chapter 43.30 RCW to read as follows:
A permit required by the department for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. A new section is added to chapter 75.20 RCW to read as follows:
A permit required by the department for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. A new section is added to chapter 90.70 RCW to read as follows:
A permit required by the authority for a watershed restoration project as defined in section 2 of this act shall be processed in compliance with sections 1 through 5 of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 15. The sum of fifty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1997, from the general fund to the state conservation commission for the purposes of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 16. Sections 1 through 5 of this act are each added to chapter 89.08 RCW.
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