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ENGROSSED
SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 6666
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AS RECOMMENDED BY
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
Passed Legislature -
1996 Regular Session
State of Washington 54th
Legislature 1996 Regular Session
By
Read first time 02/02/96.
Providing for a
long-term solution to nuisance aquatic weeds.
AN ACT Relating to
nuisance aquatic weeds; creating new sections; providing an expiration date;
and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
"NEW SECTION.
Sec. 1. The legislature finds
that Washington's lakes, particularly urban and suburban lakes, are
experiencing pollution problems. There are frequent conflicts between
shoreline property owners, who want a lake free of nuisance and noxious aquatic
weeds for health, natural habitat, and recreation purposes, and local and state
agencies, who are charged with protecting water quality and habitat quality in
the lakes. Human-caused pollution and natural factors that cause the growth of
the nuisance and noxious aquatic weeds in lakes often have diffuse sources and
can create dangerous conditions.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
2. There is created a
committee to develop a Washington state lake health plan. The lake health plan
shall include, but not be limited to, the following elements:
(1) An overview of the
science of lakes management in general, and aquatic weeds in particular, using
peer-reviewed studies and prior completed environmental impact statements,
where possible. This scientific overview should identify and critically
evaluate the various methods and techniques available for lake restoration and
weed management;
(2) An analysis of the
existing federal and state statutes, regulations, and policies dealing with
lakes management. The plan shall provide recommendations on how to eliminate
conflicts and inconsistencies in these legal requirements;
(3) An assessment of,
and recommendations addressing, the problems arising from overlapping state and
local agency programs and procedures;
(4) Recommendations on
sources of state and local funding for lakes management. The funding
mechanisms should reflect a preference for local solutions, and on involving
all of the contributors to a lake's pollution in the funding of lake management
expenses; and
(5) A plan or program
to provide public information and education concerning how to prevent lake
pollution and improve lake health. The committee shall consist of up to two
senate members from each caucus of the senate, selected by the president of the
senate and up to two representatives from each caucus of the house of representatives,
selected by the speaker of the house of representatives. The committee may
create advisory groups to assist them in evaluating these issues and shall
consult with the following:
(a) Lakeside
homeowners, lake users, and other citizens interested in lake water quality;
(b) The director or
designee from the departments of fish and wildlife, health, ecology, natural
resources, and agriculture;
(c) County governments
and local health departments from both the east side and the west side of the
state;
(d) Cities;
(e) Scientific and
academic specialists; and
(f) Pesticide
applicators.
Staff support for the
committee shall be provided by the office of program research in the house of
representatives and by senate committee services.
The committee shall
submit a plan with statutory recommendations, if any, to the legislature by
January 1, 1998.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
3. The department of ecology
shall expedite requests for approval for the application of state or federally
registered pesticides by licensed pesticide applicators, including the use of
herbicides such as copper sulfate or diquat, to control nuisance and noxious
weeds in lakes managed under chapter 90.24 RCW. Approval for the application
of pesticides is subject to compliance with state and federal pesticide laws.
The department of ecology shall condition the permits to ensure that fish
within the watershed are not significantly affected. The department of ecology
may require applicators to provide reasonable notification to shoreline
residents before application and to post signs describing swimming and fishing
restrictions. The department of ecology may require sampling by the local
health department to assess the biological effects of pesticide treatments and
effects on human and animal health of toxic algae. This section shall expire
April 1, 1998.
NEW SECTION. Sec.
4. This act is necessary for
the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support
of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take
effect immediately.
