HB 2650-S.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

Declares that it is the goal of the legislature to promote: Partnerships with volunteers; rural economic development; nature tourism; and conservation of biodiversity by encouraging partnerships between state government agencies, volunteers, and nonprofit organizations to designate and conserve natural assets that attract nature tourists and bird watchers to Washington's rural areas.

Recognizes the scientific work by volunteer organizations to use internationally recognized scientific criteria and protocols to identify, conserve, and monitor areas of the state that are important for migrating and resident birds.

Declares an intent to have Washington state participate in the recognition portion of the important bird area program by directing the natural heritage program at the department of natural resources to officially recognize important bird areas.

Declares that the recognition of private property as an important bird area under this act, or the inclusion of private property in the program's data bank, does not confer nor imply any rights of access or trespass onto the important bird area without full knowledge and consent of the owner pursuant to any state statutory and common laws dealing with trespass and access to private property.

Declares that recognition of an important bird area does not require nor preclude critical area designation under chapter 36.70A RCW.

Provides that, prior to recognizing an important bird area under this chapter, the department must: (1) Publish notice of the proposed important bird area in the Washington state register;

(2) Publish notice of the proposed important bird area in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the proposed important bird area is located; and

(3) Conduct at least one public hearing in the county where the proposed important bird area is located.