[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to conservation districts; and amending RCW 89.08.020, 89.08.080, 89.08.110, 89.08.150, 89.08.180, and 89.08.350.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 89.08.020 and 1999 c 305 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

Unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, as used in this chapter:

"Commission" and "state conservation commission" means the agency created hereunder. All former references to "state soil and water conservation committee", "state committee" or "committee" shall be deemed to be references to the "state conservation commission";

"District", or "conservation district" means a governmental subdivision of this state and a public body corporate and politic, organized in accordance with the provisions of chapter 184, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess., for the purposes, with the powers, and subject to the restrictions set forth in this chapter. All districts created under chapter 184, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. shall be known as conservation districts and shall have all the powers and duties set out in chapter 184, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. All references in chapter 184, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess. to "districts", or "soil and water conservation districts" shall be deemed to be reference to "conservation districts";

"Board" and "supervisors" mean the board of supervisors of a conservation district;

"Land occupier" or "occupier of land" includes any person, firm, political subdivision, government agency, municipality, public or private corporation, copartnership, association, or any other entity whatsoever which holds title to, or is in possession of, any lands lying within a district organized under the provisions of chapter 184, Laws of 1973 1st ex. sess., whether as owner, lessee, renter, tenant, or otherwise;

"District elector" ((~~or "voter"~~)) means a ((~~registered voter in the county where the district is located who resides~~)) qualified county elector occupying land within the district boundary or in the area affected by a petition;

"Due notice" means a notice published at least twice, with at least six days between publications, in a publication of general circulation within the affected area, or if there is no such publication, by posting at a reasonable number of public places within the area, where it is customary to post notices concerning county and municipal affairs. Any hearing held pursuant to due notice may be postponed from time to time without a new notice;

"Renewable natural resources", "natural resources" or "resources" includes land, air, water, vegetation, fish, wildlife, wild rivers, wilderness, natural beauty, scenery and open space;

"Conservation" includes conservation, development, improvement, maintenance, preservation, protection and use, and alleviation of floodwater and sediment damages, and the disposal of excess surface waters.

"Farm and agricultural land" means either (a) land in any contiguous ownership of twenty or more acres devoted primarily to agricultural uses; (b) any parcel of land five acres or more but less than twenty acres devoted primarily to agricultural uses, which has produced a gross income from agricultural uses equivalent to one hundred dollars or more per acre per year for three of the five calendar years preceding the date of application for classification under this chapter; or (c) any parcel of land of less than five acres devoted primarily to agricultural uses which has produced a gross income of one thousand dollars or more per year for three of the five calendar years preceding the date of application for classification under this chapter. Agricultural lands shall also include farm woodlots of less than twenty and more than five acres and the land on which appurtenances necessary to production, preparation or sale of the agricultural products exist in conjunction with the lands producing such products. Agricultural lands shall also include any parcel of land of one to five acres, which is not contiguous, but which otherwise constitutes an integral part of farming operations being conducted on land qualifying under this section as "farm and agricultural lands".

Sec. 2. RCW 89.08.080 and 1999 c 305 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:

To form a conservation district, ((~~twenty percent of the voters~~)) twenty-five or more persons occupying land within the area to be affected may file a petition with the commission asking that the area be organized into a district.

The petition shall give the name of the proposed district, state that it is needed in the interest of the public health, safety, and welfare, give a general description of the area proposed to be organized and request that the commission determine that it be created, and that it define the boundaries thereof and call an election on the question of creating the district.

If more than one petition is filed covering parts of the same area, the commission may consolidate all or any of them.

Sec. 3. RCW 89.08.110 and 1999 c 305 s 3 are each amended to read as follows:

If the commission finds that the district is needed, it shall then determine whether it is practicable. To assist the commission in determining this question, it shall, within a reasonable time, submit the proposition to a vote of the ((~~district electors~~)) land occupiers in the proposed district.

The commission shall fix the date of the election, designate the polling places, fix the hours for opening and closing the polls, and appoint the election officials. The election shall be conducted, the vote counted and returns canvassed and the results published by the commission.

Sec. 4. RCW 89.08.150 and 1999 c 305 s 5 are each amended to read as follows:

If a majority of the votes cast at the election are against the creation of the district, the commission shall deny the petition. If a majority favor the district, the commission shall determine the practicability of the project.

In making such determination, the commission shall consider the attitude of the ((~~voters~~)) land occupiers of the district; the number of eligible voters who voted at the election; the size of the majority vote; the wealth and income of the land occupiers; the probable expense of carrying out the project; and any other economic factors relevant thereto.

If the commission finds that the project is impracticable it shall enter an order to that effect and deny the petition. When the petition has been denied, no new petition covering the same or substantially the same area may be filed within six months therefrom.

Sec. 5. RCW 89.08.180 and 1999 c 305 s 6 are each amended to read as follows:

Territory may be added to an existing district upon filing a petition as in the case of formation with the commission by ((~~twenty percent of the voters of the affected area~~)) occupiers of the lands to be included. The same procedure shall be followed as for the creation of the district.

As an alternate procedure, the commission may upon the petition of a majority of the ((~~voters~~)) land occupiers in any one or more districts or in unorganized territory adjoining a conservation district change the boundaries of a district, or districts, if such action will promote the practical and feasible administration of such district or districts.

Upon petition of the boards of supervisors of two or more districts, the commission may approve the combining of all or parts of such districts and name the district, or districts, with the approval of the name by the secretary of state. A public hearing and/or a referendum may be held if deemed necessary or desirable by the commission in order to determine the wishes of the ((~~voters~~)) land occupiers.

When districts are combined, the joint boards of supervisors will first select a chairman, secretary and other necessary officers and select a regular date for meetings. All elected supervisors will continue to serve as members of the board until the expiration of their current term of office, and/or until the election date nearest their expiration date. All appointed supervisors will continue to serve until the expiration of their current term of office, at which time the commission will make the necessary appointments. In the event that more than two districts are combined, a similar procedure will be set up and administered by the commission.

When districts are combined or territory is moved from one district to another, the property, records and accounts of the districts involved shall be distributed to the remaining district or districts as approved by the commission. A new certificate of organization, naming and describing the new district or districts, shall be issued by the secretary of state.

Sec. 6. RCW 89.08.350 and 1999 c 305 s 9 are each amended to read as follows:

At any time after five years from the organization of a district, ((~~twenty percent of the voters~~)) one hundred or more land occupiers in the district may file with the commission a petition, praying that the district be dissolved. The commission may hold public hearings thereon, and within sixty days from receipt of the petition, shall give due notice of an election on the question of dissolution. It shall provide appropriate ballots, conduct the election, canvass the returns, and declare the results in the same manner as for elections to create a district.

All district electors may vote at the election. No informality relating to the election shall invalidate it if notice is substantially given and the election is fairly conducted.