BILL REQ. #:  S-3976.1 

Read first time 01/21/2004.   Referred to Committee on Land Use & Planning.

     AN ACT Relating to removal of agricultural resource land designation; and amending RCW 36.70A.170.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 36.70A.170 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 17 s 17 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) On or before September 1, 1991, each county, and each city, shall designate where appropriate:
     (a) Agricultural lands that are not already characterized by urban growth and that have long-term significance for the commercial production of food or other agricultural products;
     (b) Forest lands that are not already characterized by urban growth and that have long-term significance for the commercial production of timber;
     (c) Mineral resource lands that are not already characterized by urban growth and that have long-term significance for the extraction of minerals; and
     (d) Critical areas.
     (2) In making the designations required by this section, counties and cities shall consider the guidelines established pursuant to RCW 36.70A.050.
     (3) An agricultural resource land designation previously adopted pursuant to subsection (1)(a) of this section may be removed, if the result complies with RCW 36.70A.020(8), 36.70A.060, and 36.70A.177 and is consistent with guidelines adopted pursuant to RCW 36.70A.050 and with the goals, objectives, and implementing policies of the governing comprehensive plan. To remove an agricultural resource land designation, a finding must be made that the land does not meet the requirements of subsection (1)(a) of this section, based on criteria that may include, but are not limited to, being surrounded by incompatible residential uses or severed from a larger pattern of agricultural use. Where there are adopted criteria for designation of agricultural resource land, the finding must be based on the adopted criteria.