H-2983.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2302
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State of Washington 56th Legislature 1999 1st Special Session
By Representatives Stensen, Hurst, Campbell, Kastama and Regala
Read first time . Referred to Committee on .
AN ACT Relating to collaborative processes on issues regarding hydroelectric licensing; adding a new section to chapter 43.330 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that federal hydroelectric licensing and relicensing requirements can significantly impact the economy, environment, property values, and quality of life of many communities in the state.
Local impacts may be compounded by the simultaneous requirements of the endangered species act, the clean water act, and the federal environmental protection act, rendering hydroelectric licensing and relicensing procedures even more complex.
Hydroelectric licensing and relicensing procedures allow for collaborative processes involving interested entities including state agencies and local governments and for combining the consultation processes of different federal agencies. These collaborative processes can often lead to the most balanced and reasonable outcome proposals.
The scope and importance of the issues necessitate the involvement of the state and local communities. However, the complexity of the issues makes it difficult for local communities to afford adequate resources to participate effectively.
It is in the state's interest to support collaborative processes in hydroelectric licensing and relicensing and to assist local communities to participate effectively in those processes.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.330 RCW to read as follows:
Counties or cities may apply to the department for grants to assist communities to participate in a federal hydroelectric licensing and relicensing collaborative process that includes the goals of meeting endangered species act and clean water act requirements. Subject to available funding, the department shall provide grants for this purpose. The department may develop procedures for processing the grant applications and may develop criteria for prioritizing requests. Prioritization of the requests shall be based on, but not limited to, submittal of a proposed process that includes broad community involvement, peer review of science, and economic, engineering, environmental, and legal analysis.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2000, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.
(2) The sum of one million dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2001, from the general fund to the department of community, trade, and economic development for the purposes of this act.
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