BILL REQ. #:  H-1036.1 

Read first time 01/27/09.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to using environmental mitigation moneys for agricultural preservation; adding a new section to chapter 47.12 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that preservation of agricultural land is important to the state's economy and the environment. The legislature intends to add purchase of development rights of agricultural land as another option for environmental mitigation of transportation projects.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 47.12 RCW to read as follows:
     For the purpose of environmental mitigation of transportation projects, any county may require the department of transportation to participate in the county's purchase of development rights program. If the county requires the department's participation, the department shall transfer to the county's purchase of development rights program environmental mitigation moneys for transportation projects. Rights in perpetuity to future development of any open space land, farm and agricultural land, and timber land which are so designated by the county may be used as environmental mitigation moneys for transportation projects in lieu of wetlands or other mitigation required for a specific transportation project.