"NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 89.08 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) The legislature finds there are several state agencies implementing programs providing incentive programs for landowners to assist them in managing private lands to minimize the negative impacts to the state's natural resources. These programs provide benefits not only to the people of the state through the protection and improvement of shared resources, but also allow private landowners to continue managing their lands. These incentive programs also create opportunities to enhance state natural resource values in an approach that engages landowners as key participants in supporting these activities. Because of the number of incentive programs offered to landowners by state, federal, local, and other entities, the opportunities can be confusing for landowners and these services may not be administered in the most efficient manner possible. Furthermore, the implementation of these programs should be conducted in a manner that ensures these incentive programs resources are improving natural resource conditions. The state conservation commission and conservation districts are ideally situated to coordinate the service delivery of incentive-based natural resources programs to forestry, agricultural, and small acreage landowners in a manner that supports and better uses existing programs at various agencies in a more efficient, targeted, and accountable approach.
     (2)(a) As the state conservation commission implements existing authority in RCW 89.08.070(6), the commission is directed to work with state, federal, local, and tribal governments, and with nongovernmental organizations, to identify opportunities to more efficiently and effectively implement landowner incentive programs. The commission shall also work with forest and agricultural landowners, including small acreage landowners, on the incentive programs available for the protection, restoration, and enhancement of the state's natural resources. The commission shall coordinate with other state natural resource agencies in the development of the agency's programs that address agricultural landowners and agricultural landowner impacts on natural resources.
     (b) When implementing this section, the commission shall consider approaches that will:
     (i) Identify the highest priority natural resource issues for agricultural landowners;
     (ii) Identify the incentive programs that best serve the needs of the highest priority issues;
     (iii) Identify more effective ways of implementing existing and new incentive programs to meet the desired natural resource improvements while maintaining or enhancing the potential of working lands in the state; and
     (iv) Provide for accountability in the cost-efficiency and resource effectiveness of the coordination of these programs.
     (c) When implementing this section, the commission shall:
     (i) Use the resources and skills of the various conservation districts throughout the state to engage participation of local landowners in these activities; and
     (ii) Coordinate with the governor's natural resources cabinet.
     (3)(a) The commission shall periodically report to the legislature and governor on the status of items in subsection (2)(b) of this section."