SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6384

BYSenators Owen, Metcalf, Barr, Williams, Johnson, Gaspard, Kiskaddon, McMullen, Bailey, Kreidler, Benitz and von Reichbauer; by request of Governor

Creating a wetlands management committee.

Senate Committee on Agriculture

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 22, 1988; February 2, 1988

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6384 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Ways & Means.

      Signed by Senators Barr, Chairman; Anderson, Vice Chairman; Bailey, Halsan, Hansen, Rinehart.

Senate Staff:Tom McDonald (786-7404)

                  February 2, 1988

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 8, 1988

Majority Report:  That Second Substitute Senate Bill No. 6384 be substituted therefor, and the second substitute do pass.

      Signed by Senators McDonald, Chairman; Craswell, Vice Chairman; Bauer, Bluechel, Cantu, Deccio, Gaspard, Hayner, Johnson, Lee, Moore, Newhouse, Saling, Smith, Talmadge, Vognild, Warnke, Williams, Wojahn, Zimmerman.

Senate Staff:Chuck Langen (786-7715)

                  February 9, 1988

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS, FEBRUARY 8, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Marshes, swamps, bogs and other similarly saturated lands constitute the wetland areas of the state.  Wetlands are found in association with lakes, streams and other waterways and in isolated areas where the soil is simply saturated with water.

Increasingly wetlands are being regarded as essential feeding and nesting sites for many species of birds, fish and other animals, including one-third of the state's threatened species.  Wetlands also play an important role in flood, pollution and erosion control, and in the recharge of ground water for future water use.  The wetlands, however, continue to disappear or to be altered.  Over 50 percent of the original wetlands have been drained or otherwise altered, and over 90 percent of the original saltwater wetlands in urban areas of Puget Sound have been eliminated.

There remain many questions on the extent and the values of wetlands in the state, and the available options to reduce adverse effects on this resource.

SUMMARY:

A committee is established to study and report on several issues on the state's wetlands resources.  The committee will be appointed by the governor and will include representatives from the Legislature and from several state agencies and affected interest groups.  The committee will address the extent and values of the wetlands resources, the definition of wetlands, legislative options to reduce adverse impacts, a unified state mitigation policy, public information and education needs, and the existing federal, state and local programs dealing with wetlands.  The Department of Ecology will provide the staff support for the committee and will utilize the technical expertise available in other state, federal and local agencies.  The committee shall present its report to the 1989 Legislature.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED AGRICULTURE SUBSTITUTE:

The examination of landowner incentive programs that promote wetland preservation and the assessment of distinctions between wetlands west and east of the Cascades are included as elements of the study.  The committee will consist of one individual from each of several specified interest groups and four members of the Legislature.

Interested agencies may have representatives on the committee in an advisory capacity only.  For the purpose of the study, wetlands are defined as those naturally occurring and not created as a result of human activity.

An emergency clause is set forth.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED WAYS & MEANS SUBSTITUTE:

Reimbursement of travel expenses is provided.

Appropriation:    $290,000 from the water quality account

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested January 21, 1988

Effective Date:The bill contains as emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Senate Committee - Testified: Bill Alkire, Dept. of Ecology; Rod Mack, Dept. of Ecology; Chris Drivdahl, Dept. of Wildlife; Pat McElroy, Dept. of Natural Resources; Elizabeth Tabbutt, Washington Environmental Council; Steven Robinson, Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission