FINAL BILL REPORT

                 SHB 1466

                         C 185 L 97

                     Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Removing authority of the department of natural resources to delegate enforcement of reclamation plans.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by  Representatives Sump, Sheldon, Grant, Hatfield, Delvin and Pennington).

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Appropriations

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

Background:  The Department of Natural Resources administers the state=s surface mining reclamation program.  The department may, by contract, delegate its enforcement authority over provisions in surface mine reclamation plans to local governments.  Currently the department has one such contract in place with King County.

The surface mining law states that surface mining is an appropriate land use, subject to reclamation authority exercised by the department.

Summary: The Department of Natural Resources may continue to delegate its enforcement authority over surface mine reclamation plans to local governments if the department believes that the county, city, or town employs personnel who are qualified to enforce reclamation plans approved by the department.

A county, city, or town may not require for its review or approval a separate reclamation plan or application.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  96 0

Senate 47 0

Effective:July 27,  1997