SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5984

BYSenator Kreidler

Revising provisions relating to wetlands protection.

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 3, 1987; March 5, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5984 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Rinehart, Vice Chairman; Bluechel.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senator Hansen.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453)

                  March 5, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, MARCH 5, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Shoreline Management Act of 1971, codified at Chapter 90.58 RCW, provides for local planning and regulation of land uses within state shorelines, with program oversight by the Department of Ecology.  The Act applies to shorelines of the state, which consist of the total of all shorelines and shorelines of statewide significance.  Shorelines are defined as the water areas of the state including reservoirs and associated wetlands.  Streams with a flow 20 cubic feet per second or less and lakes less than 20 acres in size are excluded.  Wetlands are defined to include lands extending landward for 200 feet in all directions from the ordinary high water mark, floodways and contiguous flood plain areas landward 200 feet from such floodways, and all marshes, bogs, swamps and river deltas associated with the streams, lakes and tidal areas subject to the Act.

SUMMARY:

The definition of shorelines under the Act is expanded to include marshes, bogs and swamps five or more acres in size, regardless of whether such marshes, bogs and swamps are associated with the shorelines of the state. The definition of wetlands is expanded to include marshes, bogs and swamps five or more acres in size, including the lands 200 feet landward from all marshes, bogs or swamps.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The Department of Ecology is directed to conduct an interim study of methods of expanding jurisdiction over wetlands pursuant to the Shoreline Management Act.  The report is to review needed mapping and inventories, critical wetlands, and existing regulation, and make recommendations for legislative action.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Bill Alkire, Washington State Department of Ecology; Elizabeth Tabbutt, WEC; Jim Williams, Association of Counties; Mark Triplett, Homebuilders; Roger von Gohren, AWB; Craig Partridge, DNR