AN
ACT Relating to integrated pest management; and adding a new chapter to Title
17 RCW.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE
LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 1. The
legislature declares that it is the policy of the state of Washington to
require all state agencies that have pest control responsibilities to follow
the principles of integrated pest management.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 2. The
definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context
clearly requires otherwise:
(1)
"Integrated pest management" means a coordinated decision-making and
action process that uses the most appropriate pest control methods and strategy
in an environmentally and economically sound manner to meet agency programmatic
pest management objectives. The elements of integrated pest management
include:
(a)
Preventing pest problems;
(b)
Monitoring for the presence of pests and pest damage;
(c)
Establishing the density of the pest population, that may be set at zero, that
can be tolerated or correlated with a damage level sufficient to warrant
treatment of the problem based on health, public safety, economic, or aesthetic
thresholds;
(d)
Treating pest problems to reduce populations below those levels established by
damage thresholds using strategies that may include biological, cultural,
mechanical, and chemical control methods and that must consider human health,
ecological impact, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness; and
(e)
Evaluating the effects and efficacy of pest treatments.
(2)
"Pest" means, but is not limited to, any insect, rodent, nematode,
snail, slug, weed, and any form of plant or animal life or virus, except virus,
bacteria, or other microorganisms on or in a living person or other animal or
in or on processed food or beverages or pharmaceuticals, which is normally considered
to be a pest, or which the director of the department of agriculture may
declare to be a pest.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 3. Each
of the following state agencies or institutions shall implement integrated pest
management practices when carrying out the agency's or institution's duties
related to pest control:
(1)
The department of agriculture;
(2)
The state noxious weed control board;
(3)
The department of ecology;
(4)
The department of fish and wildlife;
(5)
The department of transportation;
(6)
The parks and recreation commission;
(7)
The department of natural resources;
(8)
The department of corrections;
(9)
The department of general administration; and
(10)
Each state institution of higher education, for the institution's own building
and grounds maintenance.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) A
state agency or institution listed in section 3 of this act shall provide
integrated pest management training for employees responsible for pest
management. The training programs shall be developed in cooperation with the
interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee created under
section 5 of this act.
(2)
A state agency or institution listed in section 3 of this act shall designate
an integrated pest management coordinator and the department of labor and
industries and the office of the superintendent of public instruction shall
each designate one representative to serve on the committee established in
section 5 of this act.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 5. (1)
The interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee is created.
The committee is composed of the integrated pest management coordinator from
each agency or institution listed under section 3 of this act and the
representatives designated under section 4 of this act. The coordinator from
the department of agriculture shall serve as chair of the committee.
(2)
The interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee shall share
information among the state agencies and institutions and facilitate
interagency coordination.
(3)
The interagency integrated pest management coordinating committee shall meet at
least two times a year. All meetings of the committee must be open to the
public. The committee shall give public notice of each meeting.
(4)
By November 30th of each odd-numbered year up to and including November 30th,
2001, the department of agriculture, with the advice of the interagency
integrated pest management coordinating committee, shall prepare a report on
the progress of integrated pest management programs. The report is to be made
available through the state library and placed on the legislative alert list.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 6. If
specific funding for the purposes of sections 3, 4, and 5 of this act,
referencing this act by bill or chapter number, is not provided by June 30,
1997, in the omnibus appropriations act, sections 3, 4, and 5 of this act are
null and void.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 7.
Sections 1 through 5 of this act constitute a new chapter in Title 17 RCW.
