| Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research |
BILL ANALYSIS |
| Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee | |
SSB 5219
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: Regarding the Northwest weather and avalanche center.
Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senator Jacobsen).
Brief Summary of Substitute Bill |
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Hearing Date: 3/26/07
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
The Northwest Weather and Avalanche Center (NWAC) provides weather and avalanche
forecasts and information for Washington and northern Oregon through phone consultations,
public hotline recordings, and the Internet. The NWAC gathers its mountain weather data from a
network that includes direct observers, the National Weather Service, and the 42 weather stations
that it maintains or helps to maintain. The NWAC staff also presents avalanche, weather, and
snow safety seminars.
The NWAC is currently administered by the United States Forest Service and housed at the
National Weather Service office in Seattle. The NWAC is funded cooperatively, with
contributions from entities including the Forest Service, National Park Service, state and local
governments, and private organizations.
The NWAC's annual budget approaches $300,000. For 2006, Washington State agencies
provided about 45 percent of the NWAC's funding. The State Parks and Recreation Commission
(Commission) provided $89,000, and the Washington Department of Transportation provided
$45,000.
Summary of Bill:
The Commission will invite the United States Forest Service, the National Weather Service, and
the National Park Service to cooperatively develop an intergovernmental plan and
recommendations that would allow the NWAC to continue operating at its current level of
service into the future.
In addition to the federal agencies already mentioned, the Commission may also invite the
Washington Department of Transportation, the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation,
the United States Department of Transportation, and other relevant state and federal entities, as
well as relevant local governments, including counties along the Cascade Mountain range, and
private organizations to participate in the plan and recommendations.
In developing the plan and recommendations, the Commission will address issues such as the
administration of the NWAC, the physical location of the NWAC, administration of NWAC
employees, equipment, and facilities, and the continuing cooperative funding for the NWAC.
Neither the Commission nor any other state agency may assume administrative control of the
NWAC, its employees, its equipment, or its facilities without specific Legislative authorization.
The Commission will provide an update on the development of the plan and recommendations to
the Legislature by December 1, 2007. The final plan and recommendations are due to the
Legislature by December 1, 2008.
This legislation expires June 30, 2009.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.