BILL REQ. #:  H-1119.1 

Read first time 01/29/2007.   Referred to Committee on Local Government.

     AN ACT Relating to the best available science requirement for critical areas; and amending RCW 36.70A.172.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 36.70A.172 and 1995 c 347 s 105 are each amended to read as follows:
     (1) In designating and protecting critical areas under this chapter, counties and cities shall include the best available science in developing policies and development regulations to protect the functions and values of critical areas. In addition, counties and cities shall give special consideration to conservation or protection measures necessary to preserve or enhance anadromous fisheries.
     (2) The requirement to include best available science under subsection (1) of this section is satisfied if buffers in a critical area ordinance are within the range of buffers previously adopted and established by any local government based on best available science for the same category or type of critical area.
     (3) If it determines that advice from scientific or other experts is necessary or will be of substantial assistance in reaching its decision, a growth management hearings board may retain scientific or other expert advice to assist in reviewing a petition under RCW 36.70A.290 that involves critical areas.