| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee | |
HB 1122
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
Brief Description: Improving forest health on state trust lands by continuing the use of contract harvesting for silvicultural treatments.
Sponsors: Representatives Kretz, VanDeWege, B. Sullivan, Kagi, McCoy, Orcutt, Eickmeyer, Lantz, Warnick, Wallace, Hailey and Dickerson.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/18/07
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has the authority to directly contract for the
removal of timber on state forest lands. The DNR contracts with a firm or individual to perform
all the necessary harvesting work to process trees into logs; the DNR then sells the individual log
sorts [RCW 79.15.500]. The contract harvesting program may not be more than 10 percent of
the total annual volume of timber offered for sale by the DNR [RCW 79.15.510]. However, all
contract harvesting operations that are conducted primarily for forest health are exempt from the
annual 10 percent cap on contract harvesting sales [RCW 79.15.510].
Where there are identified health deficiencies in areas of state forest land, the DNR has authority
to use contract harvesting or to conduct other silvicultural treatments. All harvesting and
treatments must be intended to improve the health of the forest stand, and must be in accordance
with all applicable forest health plans, laws, and other agreements. The DNR must also give
priority to fulfilling existing forest plans when planning harvesting or other silvicultural
treatments [RCW 79.15.540].
Authority to use the contract harvesting program for silviculture treatments expires on December
31, 2007.
Summary of Bill:
Removes the December 31, 2007 expiration date, and maintains the authority for the DNR to use
contract harvesting for silvicultural treatments on state trust lands with identified health
deficiencies.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Not requested.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.