FINAL BILL REPORT

                  2SSB 5536

                          C 257 L 99

                      Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Creating a pilot project for a municipal watershed on state trust lands.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Ways & Means (originally sponsored by Senators Spanel and Gardner).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

House Committee on Agriculture & Ecology

House Committee on Appropriations

Background:  Local governments have expressed concern over the impact of timber harvest within municipal watersheds.  Under existing law, a city or town may request that the Department of Natural Resources alter land management practices within a watershed to ensure that drinking water exceeds water quality standards.

Summary:  The Department of Natural Resources must initiate a pilot project in the Lake Whatcom watershed to determine what management actions could be taken to achieve water quality standards beyond those required by state law.  The department must establish an advisory committee with representatives of state agencies, local governments, and citizens.

The pilot project must be completed by June 30, 2000.  All timber sales within the Lake Whatcom watershed must be deferred until the pilot project is complete.  The advisory committee must to attempt to resolve any differences of opinion through various means, including facilitation or mediation, and the department is required to report to the natural resources committees of the House of Representatives and of the Senate with study results.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate 47 0

House     95 0 (House amended)

Senate    45 0 (Senate concurred)

Effective:  July 25, 1999