FINAL BILL REPORT

                  SSB 5327

                          C 425 L 97

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating a habitat incentive program through the department of fish and wildlife.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Senators Hargrove, Morton, Loveland, Rossi, Stevens, Snyder and Oke).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

House Committee on Natural Resources

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  Landowners who make improvements to fish habitat may face changing regulatory requirements over time as a result of the habitat improvements.

Landowners who make investments in fish habitat improvements desire not to be penalized by increased regulation of hydraulic permits or forest practice permits that result from the habitat improvements.

Summary:  Private landowners may participate in a single habitat incentives agreement for food fish or game fish habitat improvement with the Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Department of Natural Resources if they own less than 1,000 acres or less than 10,000 acres for multiple agreements.  The departments are not obligated to enter agreements unless they protect fish or wildlife habitat.  Landowners who enter agreements with the departments are subject to hydraulic permit and forest practice regulations that were in effect prior to the time habitat improvements were made.  The agreements are specified in writing and are not transferrable to subsequent owners.  Federally recognized Indian tribes, regional fisheries enhancement groups, timber, fish and wildlife cooperators and other interested parties are involved with the departments in developing the program.  The program begins in January 1998 after the cooperators have reached agreement on the operation of the program.

Appropriation:  $48,500 per biennium.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 48 0

House     98 0 (House amended)

Senate        (Senate refused to concur)

Conference Committee

House     94 0

Senate    44 1

Effective:  July 27, 1997