BILL REQ. #:  S-0525.1 

Read first time 01/19/11.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Marine Waters.

     AN ACT Relating to Mazama pocket gophers; creating new sections; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   Cities and counties may not apply critical area ordinances under RCW 36.70A.060(2) to protect the Mazama pocket gopher until the department of fish and wildlife has completed the studies required by section 2 of this act.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The department of fish and wildlife must conduct a biological status update of the Mazama pocket gopher to determine if protection or management of the species is still warranted by the state.
     (2) By December 1, 2012, and within existing resources, the department of fish and wildlife shall issue a report of findings and recommendations to the governor and the appropriate committees of the house of representatives and senate. The report must be based on the best available science and include:
     (a) Data on whether the population of Mazama pocket gophers are in danger of failing, declining, or are vulnerable due to disease, predation, exploitation, or habitat loss or change;
     (b) An analysis of the historic, current, and future population trends of the Mazama pocket gopher;
     (c) Historic and current habitat trends of the Mazama pocket gopher;
     (d) Population demographics and their relationship to long-term sustainability of the Mazama pocket gopher; and
     (e) Historic and current species management activities of the Mazama pocket gopher.
     (3) By December 1, 2012, and within existing resources, the department of fish and wildlife shall write a recovery plan for the Mazama pocket gopher if protection or management of the species is warranted.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   Sections 1 and 2 of this act expire January 1, 2013.