AN
ACT Relating to the state-owned facilities component of the state-wide
transportation plan and intercity passenger rail; and amending RCW 47.06.040,
47.06.050, and 47.06.090; and adding a new chapter to 81.104 RCW.
BE IT
ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
Sec.
1. RCW
47.06.040 and 1994 c 258 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
The
department shall develop a state-wide multimodal transportation plan under RCW
47.01.071(3) and in conformance with federal requirements, to ensure the
continued mobility of people and goods within regions and across the state in a
safe, cost-effective manner. The state-wide multimodal transportation plan
shall consist of:
(1)
A state-owned facilities component, which shall guide state investment for
state highways including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and state ferries;
and
(2)
A state-interest component, which shall define the state interest in aviation,
marine ports and navigation, freight rail, intercity passenger rail, bicycle
transportation and pedestrian walkways, and public transportation, and
recommend actions in coordination with appropriate public and private
transportation providers to ensure that the state interest in these
transportation modes is met.
The
plans developed under each component must be consistent with the state
transportation policy plan and with each other, reflect public involvement, be
consistent with regional transportation planning, high-capacity transportation
planning, and local comprehensive plans prepared under chapter 36.70A RCW, and
include analysis of intermodal connections and choices. A primary emphasis for
these plans shall be the relief of congestion, the preservation of existing
investments, the improvement of traveler safety, the efficient movement of
freight and goods, and the improvement and integration of all
transportation modes to create a seamless intermodal transportation system for
people and goods.
In
the development of the state-wide multimodal transportation plan, the
department shall identify and document potential affected environmental
resources, including, but not limited to, wetlands, storm water runoff,
flooding, air quality, fish passage, and wildlife habitat. The department
shall conduct its environmental identification and documentation in
coordination with all relevant environmental regulatory authorities, including,
but not limited to, local governments. The department shall give the relevant
environmental regulatory authorities an opportunity to review the department's
environmental plans. The relevant environmental regulatory authorities shall
provide comments on the department's environmental plans in a timely manner.
Environmental identification and documentation as provided for in RCW 47.01.300
and this section is not intended to create a private right of action or require
an environmental impact statement as provided in chapter 43.21C RCW.
*Sec.
2.
RCW 47.06.050 and 1993 c 446 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:
The
state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation plan shall identify
the most cost-effective combination of highway, ferry, passenger rail, and
high-capacity transportation improvements that maximizes the efficient movement
of people, freight, and goods within state transportation corridors and will
consist of:
(1)
The state highway system plan, which identifies program and financing needs and
recommends specific and financially realistic improvements to preserve the
structural integrity of the state highway system, ensure acceptable operating
conditions, and provide for enhanced access to scenic, recreational, and
cultural resources. The state highway system plan shall contain the following elements:
(a)
A system preservation element, which shall establish structural preservation
objectives for the state highway system including bridges, identify current and
future structural deficiencies based upon analysis of current conditions and
projected future deterioration, and recommend program funding levels and
specific actions necessary to preserve the structural integrity of the state
highway system consistent with adopted objectives. This element shall serve as
the basis for the preservation component of the six-year highway program and
the two-year biennial budget request to the legislature;
(b)
A capacity and operational improvement element, which shall establish
operational objectives, including safety considerations, for moving people and
goods on the state highway system, identify current and future capacity,
operational, and safety deficiencies, and recommend program funding levels and
specific improvements and strategies necessary to achieve the operational
objectives. In developing capacity and operational improvement plans the
department shall first assess strategies to enhance the operational efficiency
of the existing system before recommending system expansion. Congestion
relief must be a primary emphasis of the capacity and operational improvement
element. Strategies to enhance the operational efficiencies include but
are not limited to access management, transportation system management, demand
management, and high-occupancy vehicle facilities. The capacity and
operational improvement element must conform to the state implementation plan
for air quality and be consistent with regional transportation plans adopted
under chapter 47.80 RCW, and shall serve as the basis for the capacity and
operational improvement portions of the six-year highway program and the
two-year biennial budget request to the legislature;
(c)
A scenic and recreational highways element, which shall identify and recommend
designation of scenic and recreational highways, provide for enhanced access to
scenic, recreational, and cultural resources associated with designated routes,
and recommend a variety of management strategies to protect, preserve, and
enhance these resources. The department, affected counties, cities, and towns,
regional transportation planning organizations, and other state or federal
agencies shall jointly develop this element;
(d)
A paths and trails element, which shall identify the needs of nonmotorized
transportation modes on the state transportation systems and provide the basis
for the investment of state transportation funds in paths and trails, including
funding provided under chapter 47.30 RCW.
(2)
The state ferry system plan, which shall guide capital and operating
investments in the state ferry system. The plan shall establish service
objectives for state ferry routes, forecast travel demand for the various
markets served in the system, and develop strategies for ferry system
investment that consider regional and state-wide vehicle and passenger needs,
support local land use plans, and assure that ferry services are fully
integrated with other transportation services. The plan shall assess the role
of private ferries operating under the authority of the utilities and
transportation commission and shall coordinate ferry system capital and
operational plans with these private operations. The ferry system plan must be
consistent with the regional transportation plans for areas served by the state
ferry system, and shall be developed in conjunction with the ferry advisory
committees.
*Sec. 2 was vetoed. See message at end of chapter.
*Sec.
3.
RCW 47.06.090 and 1993 c 446 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:
The
state-interest component of the state-wide multimodal transportation plan shall
include an intercity passenger rail plan, which shall analyze existing
intercity passenger rail service and recommend improvements to that service
under the state passenger rail service program including depot improvements,
potential service extensions, and ways to achieve higher train speeds. The
plan must include:
(1)
A service preservation element that outlines the trackage, depots, and train
investments needed to maintain established service levels; and
(2)
A service improvement element that establishes service improvement objectives
and outlines the trackage, depot, and train investments needed to meet
improvement service objectives.
*Sec. 3 was vetoed. See message at end of chapter.
NEW
SECTION. Sec. 4. A
new section is added to chapter 81.104 RCW to read as follows:
Any
regional transit authority imposing taxes under this chapter shall consult with
the department of community, trade, and economic development to explore the
potential for developing contracting methods and procedures that encourage the
establishment of a manufacturing base in the state of Washington for the
purpose of constructing and assembling commuter and light rail train sets and
components. The regional transit authority shall report its findings and
recommendations to the legislative transportation committee by January 1, 1999.
Note:
Governor's explanation of partial veto is as follows:
"I
am returning herewith, without my approval as to sections 2 and 3, Engrossed
Senate Bill No. 6628 entitled:
"AN
ACT Relating to the state-owned facilities component of the state-wide transportation
plan and intercity passenger rail;"
Section 2 of ESB 6628
would require an in-depth modal trade-off analysis. Such an analysis is the
type of research that we should ultimately seek in our state transportation
plan. However, section 2 calls for a cutting-edge type of analysis. There is
not sufficient research available to support that type of analysis at this
time, and it is unrealistic to expect the Department of Transportation to
accomplish such extensive work without any funding.
Section 3 of ESB 6628
would add additional requirements to the intercity passenger rail plan. While
it would certainly be worthwhile for decision makers to have such information,
the examination should be more modally comprehensive. That is, similar data
should be gleaned for all modes to allow a more fair comparison. And again,
without funding from the Legislature, the Department of Transportation cannot
conduct such major work without being forced to neglect existing statutory
requirements.
For these reasons, I have
vetoed sections 2 and 3 of Engrossed Senate Bill No. 6628.
With
the exception of sections 2 and 3, Engrossed Senate Bill No. 6628 is
approved."
