BILL REQ. #:  H-2161.1 

READ FIRST TIME 03/01/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to collection and preservation of oral histories about Hood Canal; adding a new section to chapter 28B.40 RCW; creating a new section; making an appropriation; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that Hood Canal is a marine water of the state in significant peril. The legislature also finds that low dissolved oxygen concentrations have occurred in Hood Canal for many years and that these conditions have created a serious environmental health concern. The legislature further finds that substantial fish kills have occurred in Hood Canal in recent years, and scientists and others report significant changes in marine species behavior in Hood Canal.
     (2) The legislature finds that the factors contributing to Hood Canal's low dissolved oxygen problems are complex and that investigation is needed to understand both the problem and its potential solutions. The legislature also finds that a historical perspective is important in understanding Hood Canal's problems. The legislature recognizes the tribal elders and other long-term residents of the Hood Canal area are a great source of knowledge regarding the history of Hood Canal. The legislature finds these tribal elders and others may provide critical insight into the history, impacts, and potential causes of the low dissolved oxygen concentrations occurring in Hood Canal.
     (3) The legislature intends to initiate a process for university students to interview tribal elders and others who have knowledge of the history of conditions along Hood Canal to collect information regarding the history and impacts of Hood Canal's low dissolved oxygen concentrations. The legislature further intends that these interviews and the information learned be preserved as part of the state's oral history program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 28B.40 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The Evergreen State College shall administer and conduct a program to record and document oral histories of tribal elders of the tribes in the area surrounding Hood Canal and other long-term residents of the Hood Canal area who have similar knowledge of the history of the conditions along Hood Canal. The purpose of these interviews is to collect information and perspectives regarding the history of the conditions along Hood Canal, including but not limited to reports of fish kills, changes in marine species behavior, fishing and harvesting histories, and other conditions related to the environmental health of Hood Canal. The Evergreen State College shall have college students interview and record the oral histories specified in this section. The Evergreen State College shall consult with the appropriate tribal cultural and historical departments regarding the interviews of tribal elders under this program.
     (2) The Evergreen State College shall offer the tribes in the area surrounding Hood Canal an opportunity to review the documents, information, photographs, or other materials collected through the oral history program established in subsection (1) of this section to determine whether any relate to the location of tribal archaeological sites. Any documents, information, photographs, or other materials identified by a tribe as relating to tribal archaeological sites according to this subsection are exempt from public disclosure pursuant to RCW 42.17.310(1)(k); however, The Evergreen State College shall provide the documents, information, photographs, or other materials exempt from disclosure under RCW 42.17.310(1)(k) to the tribe for its own archival purposes.
     (3) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the tapes and tape transcripts shall be indexed and made available for research and reference through the state archives.
     (4) Except as provided in subsection (2) of this section, the transcripts, together with current and historical photographs, may be published for distribution to libraries and for sale to the general public.
     (5) The Evergreen State College may retain no more than five percent of any funding provided for the program established in subsection (1) of this section for costs associated with administering and conducting the program.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   The sum of twenty thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated from the general fund to The Evergreen State College for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007, to carry out the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act expires July 1, 2008.