HB 1259-S - DIGEST

(AS OF HOUSE 2ND READING 3/11/97)

     Declares that forest practices consistent with a habitat conservation plan approved by the secretary of the interior or commerce under 16 U.S.C. Sec. 1531 et seq., and the endangered species act of 1973 as amended, are exempt from rules and policies under chapter 76.09 RCW, provided the proposed forest practices indicated in the application are in compliance with the plan, and provided this exemption applies only to rules and policies adopted primarily for the protection of threatened or endangered species covered by the plan.  Such forest practices are deemed not to have the potential for a substantial impact on the environment within the meaning of the state environmental policy act for fish and wildlife species covered by the plan but may be found to have the potential for a substantial impact on the environment within the meaning of the state environmental policy act due to other factors.