BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to wildlife and fisheries habitat on state rangelands; adding a new section to chapter 89.08 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 79.01 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; adding a new section to chapter 43.51 RCW; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the restoration and maintenance of Washington's rangelands and shrub steppe habitat is vital to the long-term benefit of the people of the state, and that the state lacks a consistent policy toward management of state rangelands and wildlife, fish, and water quality protection on these lands. Livestock and wildlife are the primary users of rangelands and are important resources in Washington's economy. Livestock grazing is managed inconsistently by the state agencies that lease rangelands for this purpose. The inconsistencies exist in grazing fee structure, management philosophy, management intensity, and stewardship of other public resources such as water, vegetation, wildlife, and fisheries. The legislature finds that the state agencies do not charge private landowners sufficient fees for grazing leases to cover the full cost of administering the leases, conducting capital improvements, and avoiding or mitigating damages to public resources. The legislature declares that wildlife, fish, and water quality protection, rangeland preservation and sustainability, proper grazing management, and adequate lease fees must be implemented consistently on state lands, and that a state policy be developed to accomplish these goals.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 89.08 RCW to read as follows:

(1) The public grazing policy committee is established. The committee shall consist of eleven members. Eight members shall be appointed by the chair of the Washington conservation commission, who shall also function as the chair of the committee. The appointees shall represent the following agencies and interests:

(a) Washington State University cooperative extension service;

(b) Department of fish and wildlife;

(d) Washington rangelands committee;

(e) Department of ecology;

(f) Livestock growers' organization;

(g) Environmental group; and

(h) Outdoor recreation interest.

(2) The chairs of the house of representatives and the senate committees on natural resources shall also serve on the public grazing policy committee.

(3) Members of the committee shall receive no additional compensation for their services except that travel expenses shall be allowed in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The public grazing policy committee established in section 2 of this act shall develop recommendations and a rationale for each to the appropriate committees of the legislature on the following policy issues by December 31, 1995:

(1) How to control livestock in open range counties from interfering with state management objectives or coordinated objectives developed through the coordinated resource management planning process;

(2) The capital investments needed on state rangelands to maximize long-term range productivity and long-term preservation of fish and wildlife habitat and water quality;

(3) An appropriate level of state agency funding for management of and research on state rangelands;

(4) An appropriate level of state agency staffing for adequate implementation of coordinated resource management planning;

(5) Whether grazing leases issued by the state should continue to be categorically exempted from the environmental review process under the state environmental policy act; and

(6) How to best coordinate and integrate state, federal, tribal, and agency public rangelands ecosystems management and policies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. A new section is added to chapter 79.01 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall implement a range inventory and monitoring program for application to all department-managed rangelands. The inventory shall be designed to produce reliable estimates of forage production, livestock carrying capacity, and residue remaining after grazing. The program shall use this information to adjust the number of animal unit months, grazing system, and timing to maintain or improve range condition.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. A new section is added to chapter 43.51 RCW to read as follows:

The commission shall implement a range inventory and monitoring program for application to all commission-managed rangelands. The inventory shall be designed to produce reliable estimates of forage production, livestock carrying capacity, and residue remaining after grazing. The program shall use this information to adjust the number of animal unit months, grazing system, and timing to maintain or improve range condition.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. By October 31, 1995, the legislative budget committee shall report to the appropriate legislative committees on the livestock grazing programs in the state departments of fish and wildlife and natural resources, and the state parks and recreation commission. The report shall address the following:

(1) Costs and benefits of the programs, including indirect costs and benefits to public resources such as fish, wildlife, and water;

(2) Adequacy of date and other information used by each agency to develop lease specifications such as the number of animal unit months and timing of grazing;

(3) Whether such agency adequately determines the impact of livestock grazing to public resources such as water, wildlife, vegetation, and fisheries;

(4) Whether public resource protection standards are conditions of grazing leases;

(5) Whether conditions are complied with by the lessee and frequency of compliance; and

(6) Whether lessees are monitored for compliance.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. The sum of ten 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 administering the project set out in this act.