BILL REQ. #: H-2361.1

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SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1346
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State of Washington

59th Legislature

2005 Regular Session

By House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Buck, B. Sullivan, Kretz, DeBolt, Blake, Eickmeyer and Takko)

READ FIRST TIME 03/04/05.

AN ACT Relating to regulatory reform of the hydraulic project approval program; 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 further finds that the hydraulic project 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 fish and wildlife'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.

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