BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to federally listed threatened and endangered species; 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 and declares that:

(1) The state of Washington will be required to make significant expenditures in order to comply with recovery plans for federally listed threatened and endangered species. These expenditures should be prioritized in order to assure funding of projects that have the greatest potential for improving the recovery of the threatened or endangered species. In addition, the state anticipates federal funds to assist in endangered species recovery and the administration and oversight for the expenditure of these federal funds is also critical to the success of recovery plans;

(2) Cost sharing, or matching grants, between the state, federal government, Indian tribes, local governments, and private individuals presents numerous opportunities. Administration of cost sharing requires active management to assure that programs are accountable, efficient, and fairly allocated;

(3) Once funds have been allocated to endangered species recovery efforts it is imperative that projects be monitored to assess the successes and failures of each project. Only through continuous evaluation can the status of recovery efforts be understood and improved. The funding of future projects is best evaluated by understanding the successes and failures of projects that have gone before; and

(4) The large magnitude of recovery efforts for endangered species necessitates the need for pilot projects in order to assess new and untried approaches with unique species in diverse environments. Only through the empirical testing of new approaches can the response of biologic systems be quantified.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A salmon restoration funding task force is created. The task force shall consist of one representative each from the department of fish and wildlife, the department of transportation, the department of ecology, the department of natural resources, the department of community, trade, and economic development, treaty tribes, cities, counties, a business organization, an environmental organization, regional fisheries enhancement groups, and the University of Washington. These representatives shall be appointed by the governor. In addition, there shall be four legislative members, one appointed from each of the two largest caucuses in the house of representatives and in the senate, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate, respectively. The department of fish and wildlife shall provide staff to the task force.

The task force shall develop recommendations to the legislature on a salmon restoration funding process for salmon and trout restoration projects. All aspects of salmon and trout restoration shall be addressed except for fish passage projects.

The task force shall develop a standard methodology for decision making on restoration funding, prioritization of decisions, developing a state-wide data base, and developing a criteria for making project applications. The task force shall develop recommendations for a process to monitor ongoing projects and evaluate completed projects. In addition, the task force shall develop procedures for funding and evaluating pilot projects.

A preliminary report to the appropriate committees of the legislature is due on or before August 1, 1998.

A final report with recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature is due on or before December 1, 1998.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. 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.