Z-1133.2          _______________________________________________

                                  HOUSE BILL 2136

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State of Washington              54th Legislature             1996 Regular Session

By Representatives Chandler, Chappell, Horn, Rust, Mastin, Dickerson, Honeyford, Robertson, Smith and Murray; by request of Department of Ecology

Read first time 01/08/96.  Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Ecology.

Authorizing freshwater aquatic weeds account moneys to be used for hydrilla eradication.

     AN ACT Relating to funding hydrilla eradication; and amending RCW 43.21A.660.

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

     Sec. 1.  RCW 43.21A.660 and 1991 c 302 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

     Funds in the freshwater aquatic weeds account may be appropriated to the department of ecology to develop a freshwater aquatic weeds management program to:

     (1) Issue grants to cities, counties, and state agencies to prevent, remove, reduce, or manage excessive freshwater aquatic weeds.  Such grants shall only be issued for lakes, rivers, or streams with a public boat launching ramp.  The department shall give preference to projects having matching funds or in-kind services;

     (2) Develop public education programs relating to preventing the propagation and spread of freshwater aquatic weeds;

     (3) Provide technical assistance to local governments and citizen groups; ((and))

     (4) Fund demonstration or pilot projects consistent with the purposes of this section; and

(5) Fund hydrilla eradication activities in waters of the state.

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