BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to the nonindigenous species invasion task force; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the unauthorized introduction of nonindigenous species into Washington state poses a serious economic and environmental threat. Nonindigenous species can have adverse impacts on public health, agriculture and grazing lands, fisheries and waterways, and the functioning of natural ecosystems. It is the intent of the legislature to prevent adverse economic and environmental impacts caused by nonindigenous species through increased cooperation, coordination, and information sharing between state and federal agencies.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A nonindigenous species invasion task force is hereby created. The task force is composed of the director of the department of fish and wildlife or the director's designee, the director of the department of ecology or the director's designee, the commissioner of public lands or the commissioner's designee, and the director of the department of agriculture or the director's designee. The director of the department of fish and wildlife or the director's designee shall serve as chair of the task force. At the chair's discretion, additional task force members, or ex officio members, may be added from other state, tribal, or federal agencies and institutions of higher education. The department of fish and wildlife, the department of ecology, the department of agriculture, and the department of natural resources shall provide staff support for the task force.

(2) The purpose of the task force is to:

(a) Prevent the establishment of nonindigenous species through improved cooperation, coordination, and information sharing between state and federal agencies;

(b) Provide risk and priority assessments regarding nonindigenous species;

(d) Provide an efficient and expert mechanism for the eradication of problem invasions; and

(e) Report to the legislature on the status of nonindigenous species in Washington and the need for additional legislative action.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The nonindigenous species invasion task force shall conduct a risk and priority assessment of nonindigenous species currently in Washington by January 1, 1998. The assessment shall consider the potential adverse economic and biological impacts of the species, the range and population of the species, and the cost-to-benefit ratio of species management versus eradication. Priority should be placed on those species with adverse economic or biological impacts that can be controlled or eradicated with the least cost and effort.

(2) The task force shall develop interagency response plans for those species assessed to be of high priority by July 1, 1998. The response plans must be designed to achieve the goal of nonindigenous species eradication or management at tolerable levels in a timely and effective manner.

(3) The task force shall report to the natural resources committees of the house of representatives and the senate on the progress of the task force and the need for additional legislative action by December 1, 1998.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The nonindigenous species invasion task force shall appoint an interagency invasion response team by January 1, 1998. The purpose of the invasion response team is to provide a comprehensive and timely response to new nonindigenous species introductions. The invasion response team is responsible, if necessary, for first-response action to eradicate or control a newly introduced nonindigenous species, intensified monitoring within the region of the invasion, quantifying the extent of the invasion, and monitoring of progress after treatment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. 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 takes effect immediately.