Title: An act relating to expanding the criteria for habitat conservation programs.

Brief Description: Expanding the criteria for habitat conservation programs.

Sponsors: Representatives Dunshee, Jarrett, Hunt, Nixon, Linville, Anderson, Sells, Tom, Appleton, Eickmeyer, B. Sullivan, Ericks, Chase, Lantz, Flannigan, Green, Ormsby, Upthegrove, Blake, O'Brien, Priest, Morrell, Clibborn, Kagi, Williams, Moeller, McCoy, Miloscia, Campbell and Simpson.

Brief History:

Capital Budget: 2/2/05, 2/16/05 [DPS].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON CAPITAL BUDGET

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 20 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Ormsby, Vice Chair; Jarrett, Ranking Minority Member; Hankins, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Chase, Eickmeyer, Ericks, Flannigan, Green, Hasegawa, Lantz, Moeller, Morrell, Newhouse, O'Brien, Schual-Berke, Springer, Strow and Upthegrove.

Minority Report: Do not pass. Signed by 9 members: Representatives Cox, DeBolt, Ericksen, Holmquist, Kretz, Kristiansen, McCune, Roach and Serben.

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) provides funds for the acquisition and development of local and state parks, water access sites, trails, critical wildlife habitat, and urban wildlife habitat. Counties, cities, ports, park and recreation districts, school districts, state agencies, and tribes are eligible to apply. Grant applications are evaluated annually and the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) submits a list of prioritized projects to the Governor and Legislature for approval.

Half of the funds appropriated in a biennium for the WWRP are for habitat conservation, and are allocated according to a statutory formula for critical habitat, natural areas, and urban wildlife habitat. The other half of the funds are appropriated for outdoor recreation, allocated by formulas established in statute for state parks, local parks, trails, and water access sites. A portion of each account is left unallocated.

Summary of Substitute Bill:

Two new funds are created for administration by the IAC. The Riparian Protection Account is created to distribute funds for the acquisition and enhancement or restoration of riparian habitat. Riparian habitat is defined as land adjacent to water bodies, as well as submerged land and stream beds, which can provide habitat for fish and wildlife species. The Farmland Preservation Account is created to distribute funds for the acquisition and preservation of farm and agricultural land. Farmland preservation projects do not provide a right of public access unless explicitly agreed to by the property owner in an easement or deed restriction.

Appropriations for a biennium of up to $40 million or less are split equally between the Habitat Conservation Account and the Outdoor Recreation Account. The Riparian Protection Account and Farmlands Preservation Account receive a portion of any appropriations to the WWRP exceeding $40 million.

Within the Habitat Conservation Account, allocations to the existing categories are increased and a new category is created for restoration and enhancement projects by state agencies, leaving no unallocated funds. Within the Outdoor Recreation Account, allocations to the existing categories are also increased and a new category is created for development and renovation projects on state lands, leaving no unallocated funds. Criteria for grants for habitat conservation and outdoor recreation are revised to include such considerations as consistency with land use, shoreline, watershed, and recovery plans and the statewide significance of critical habitat projects. Habitat and recreation lands acquired using WWRP grant funds may not be converted to a use other than that for which funds were originally approved.

The IAC may retain up to 3 percent of WWRP funds for administration. The IAC may accept private donations to the WWRP accounts. Project lists are prepared and submitted to the Governor in even-numbered years. When considering acquisition priorities, the IAC must consider whether a project has a management and stewardship plan to implement noxious weed control and invasive species programs for projects funded from the Habitat Conservation and Riparian Protection accounts.

Lands acquired by the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Fish and Wildlife using funds from the Habitat Conservation Account are subject to payments in lieu of property taxes and an additional amount for weed control. All state agencies acquiring land under the Riparian Protection Account must make these payments.

State or local agencies must consult with the appropriate county or city legislative authority before applying for funding to acquire property in counties having more than 70 percent of the total area in the county in public, federal, and tribal land.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The substitute bill specifies that farmland preservation projects do not provide a right of public access unless explicitly agreed to by the property owner in an easement or deed restriction. The substitute bill requires that when considering acquisition priorities, the IAC must consider whether a project has a management and stewardship plan to implement noxious weed control and invasive species programs for projects funded from the Habitat Conservation and Riparian Protection accounts. The substitute bill directs state or local agencies to consult with the appropriate county or city legislative authority before applying for funding to acquire property in counties having more than 70 percent of the total area in the county in public, federal, and tribal land. For Riparian Protection and Farmland Preservation projects, the substitute bill directs the IAC to consider whether there is written community support for a project from the appropriate county or city legislative authority with jurisdiction over the project area

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on substitute bill February 17, 2005.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect July 1, 2007, except for section 15, relating to program administration, which takes effect July 1, 2005.

Testimony For: Payments in lieu of property taxes would protect counties from losing part of their tax base when lands are acquired through the WWRP. Expanding grant criteria to include factors relating to local planning would assist local governments to implement these plans. The addition of the riparian protection account and the farmlands preservation account provide additional means to accomplish the WWRP's goals. Expanding the criteria for habitat conservation is in the interest of good stewardship practices; it increases public access to lands, provides more habitat for wildlife, increases local support in fulfilling county goals and is friendly to farmers.

Testimony Against: Washington state suffers from a lack of land on which to build, a problem which further land acquisitions by the state will only increase. Concerns exist over counties losing money when "open space" lands are sold. Expanding the criteria for habitat conservation is incompatible with viable agricultural practices. The state should focus on managing lands it already has acquired, rather than creating more categories for acquiring land. The state needs to further examine conservation incentives and reconsider how much land is necessary to be taken out of production.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Bonnie Bunning, Department of Natural Resources; Mike Ryherd, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition; Linda Oesteich, City of Olympia; Nina Carter, National Audubon Society; Don Stuart, American Farmland Trust; Steve Pozzanghra, Department of Fish and Wildlife; Paul Parker, Washington State Association of Counties; and Bob Rose, Skagitonians to preserve farmland.

(Opposed) Wesley McCart, private landowner; Merrill Ott, Stevens, Okanogan and Ferry Counties; and John Stuhlmiller, Farm Bureau.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: Andy Cook, Building Industry Association of Washington; Dwight Sutton, City of Bainbridge Island; Bill Robinson, Nature Conservancy; and Joanna Grist, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition.