SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6394

                    As of January 31, 2000

Title:  An act relating to locating off‑site mitigation of wetlands impacts.

Brief Description:  Establishing locational standards for off‑site mitigation.

Sponsors:  Senators Hargrove, Patterson, Swecker, Morton, Snyder and Spanel.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Environmental Quality & Water Resources:  2/3/2000.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY & WATER RESOURCES

Staff:  Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background:  Current law authorizes the mitigation of development impacts to wetlands.  Off-site compensation for impacts to wetlands is allowed only after the impacts can be neither avoided nor minimized.  In evaluating a proposal for off-site mitigation, state agencies are directed to consider the overall biological functions of the watershed or bay.

Summary of Bill:  Off-site compensatory mitigation is limited to the water resource inventory area in which the project causing the wetland impacts is located.  If the project is located in a county with a population greater than 500,000 and is with an urban growth area, the compensatory mitigation must be within five miles of the project.  These limitations apply to state permits made on or after January 1, 2000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.