BILL REQ. #:  H-3065.3 

Read first time 01/15/14.   Referred to Committee on Transportation.

     AN ACT Relating to coordinating the removal of fish passage barriers; and adding a new section to chapter 47.01 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) When determining the prioritization of fish passage barrier removals for each fiscal biennium, the department must regularly consult with the department of fish and wildlife, the department of natural resources, state parks, appropriate local governments, regional fishery enhancement groups, forest landowners, and appropriate tribes to identify existing fish passage barriers on state highways where the removal of such barriers by the department may occur in conjunction with projects sponsored by these entities. When such an opportunity is identified, to the greatest extent practicable, the department must coordinate with the sponsoring entity in order to remove the implicated fish passage barrier in a manner that achieves the greatest cumulative cost savings to the department and the sponsoring entity.
     (2) The department must provide a report to the transportation committees of the legislature by January 15th of each year regarding the fish passage barrier projects in which the department coordinated with a sponsoring entity, the savings associated with the coordination, and any recommendations for improvements to the coordination process.