BILL REQ. #:  H-1657.1 

Read first time 02/20/2003.   Referred to Committee on Fisheries, Ecology & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to hydraulic project permit efficiency and accountability; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that the hydraulic project approval provides critical protections for fish and fish habitat and is a key component of the state's approach to salmon recovery. The legislature also finds that the hydraulic project approval is the only state permit solely intended to protect fish life. The legislature finds that changes to the existing program recommended by the hydraulic project approval task force would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the hydraulic approval program. The legislature further finds that the hydraulic approval program needs to be redesigned to provide better customer service, improved consistency, and enhanced compliance and effectiveness monitoring. Therefore, it is the intent of the legislature to clarify the department of ecology's authority under chapter 77.55 RCW, streamline the application process to provide consistency and predictability for permit applicants, and ensure that those hydraulic projects with the highest potential risk to fish and fish habitat receive the highest priority.