H-3921

AN ACT Relating to the Hanford Reach of the Columbia river; adding a new chapter to Title 43 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature recognizes that the people and governments of Benton, Franklin, Grant, and Adams counties desire to enter into such a partnership with the state of Washington and the United States to ensure the continued protection of plant, fish, wildlife, cultural, recreational, and scenic resources on the lands surrounding the Hanford Reach.

It is the intent of this act to create a cooperative partnership that will provide a forum for public input from the entire region and that will ensure the long-term protection of the river as wild, scenic, and accessible.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) The Hanford Reach protection and management commission is created. The commission is composed of seven members. Members of the commission shall be appointed as follows:

(a) One resident each from Benton, Franklin, and Grant counties appointed by the county government of each county;

(b) One resident of the state appointed by the governor;

(d) One resident of the state appointed by the United States secretary of the interior; and

(e) One resident of any county in the state through or along which the Columbia river runs, appointed by a majority vote of the other members of the commission.

(2) The length of the terms of office of the members appointed under subsection (1) of this section shall be fixed by each appointing governmental entity at the time of appointment, but no term may exceed four years.

(3) Any vacancy that may occur prior to the expiration of a member's term shall be filled for the balance of that term by appointment made by the entity which appointed the vacating member.

(4) Except as provided by federal law or regulation, no person may be appointed to the commission who is an employee, agent, or independent contractor of the United States or any agency thereof.

(5) In the event a member has not been appointed within six months of the effective date of this act, the vacancy shall be filled by joint appointment by the county governments of Benton, Franklin, and Grant counties.

(6) As soon as practicable after the appointment of a majority of the members of the commission, but no later than one year after the effective date of this act, the members shall convene meetings of the commission and adopt rules governing the administration, voting, meeting, terms of service, and finances of the commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The commission shall receive and manage the lands conveyed by the federal government for the long-term protection of the resources of the portion of the Columbia river known as the Hanford Reach.

(2) The commission shall develop a plan for the management of the lands described under subsection (1) of this section that will protect and enhance plant resources, fish and wildlife resources, cultural resources, recreational access, and other uses or resources prescribed by the commission.

(3) The commission shall adopt rules, as necessary, for the implementation of its duties set forth under this section and section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. From the date of the conveyances made for the purpose of this act until the time a permanent protection and management plan is approved by the Hanford Reach protection and management commission, the lands shall be managed under an interim management plan approved by the county governments of Benton, Franklin, and Grant counties, which shall be consistent with the federal legislation authorizing the conveyances.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. Sections 1 through 3 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 43 RCW.