BILL REQ. #: H-4872.1

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SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 2588
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State of Washington

59th Legislature

2006 Regular Session

By House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Blake, Buck, Takko, Buri, Williams, Roach, Eickmeyer, Linville, Kessler, B. Sullivan and Campbell)

READ FIRST TIME 02/03/06.

AN ACT Relating to beach mining; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) Beginning July 1, 2006, the state parks and recreation commission and the department of fish and wildlife shall establish a pilot program to evaluate the impacts of small scale prospecting and mining on ocean beaches. The pilot program shall be conducted from July 1, 2006, through July 1, 2008.
     (2) The state parks and recreation commission, in consultation with the department of fish and wildlife, shall establish two demonstration areas in appropriate beach areas in the seashore conservation area to allow small scale prospecting and mining for purposes of the pilot program. Each demonstration area shall be (a) in separate areas along the coast that are not geographically close together; (b) in an area suitable for small scale mining and prospecting as identified by persons interested in small scale mining and prospecting; and (c) in areas having minimal potential for damage to the beach ecology and the environment.
     (3) The department of fish and wildlife shall use existing authority under chapter 77.55 RCW to issue hydraulic permits for small scale mining and prospecting within the demonstration areas established under subsection (2) of this section.
     (4) The department of fish and wildlife shall monitor the impacts of the small scale prospecting and mining activities on the beach ecology including, but not limited to, habitat, birds, shellfish, and other beach marine life.
     (5) By October 1, 2008, the department of fish and wildlife shall report its findings and recommendations regarding the impacts of small scale prospecting and mining on the beach ecology to the state parks and recreation commission. The department shall consider public input prior to finalizing their findings and recommendations.
     (6) The state parks and recreation commission and the department of fish and wildlife shall report their findings and recommendations on the impacts of small scale prospecting and mining on ocean beaches to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2008.

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