SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 707

BYRepresentatives Sayan, Vekich, Ballard, Grimm, Locke, Meyers, Basich, Hargrove, Heavey, Jacobsen, Fisch, O'Brien, P. King, Baugher, Rasmussen, Unsoeld and Todd; by request of Employment Security Department

Increasing the goals and duties of the Washington conservation corps.

House Committe on Trade & Economic Development

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 26, 1987

Majority Report:     Do pass as amended.

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

Senate Staff:Henry Yates (786-7708)

                March 26, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, MARCH 26, 1987

BACKGROUND:

The Departments of Ecology, Fisheries, Game, Natural Resources and Agriculture and the Parks and Recreation Commission were given Conservation Corps responsibilities.  Each agency was directed to develop a specific Corps component.  The Employment Security Department provides Conservation Corps guidelines for work performance and coordinated the Corps agencies.

In 1985 legislation passed directing the Employment Security Department to select and approve Conservation Corps projects. The Conservation Corps Coordinating Council, which consists of representatives of all six Corps agencies was to assist in selection of projects.  Also the 1985 legislation limited total administrative costs for the program to 15 percent of the program costs with a provision that up to 30 percent of the costs were permitted for combined administrative and program support activities.  Costs per enrollee were set at $7,000.

The current program also requires 60 percent of the Conservation Corps funds be used in distressed areas or to serve youth from distressed areas.  The Employment Security Department was directed to evaluate projects on the basis of costs per enrollee, public benefit of the project, opportunity for placement, degree of public and private support and coordination with other agencies.  Training plans were to be developed for each enrollee and preference was to be given to 18 to 23 year olds.

SUMMARY:

Goals of the Conservation Corps program are to emphasize projects which address several statewide priorities, including the timber, fish and wildlife management plan, watershed management plan, 1989 centennial celebration and tourism, Puget Sound water quality and the U.S.-Canada fisheries treaty.  Also, public access to and environmental education about natural resources through recreational facilities is a priority.

The Washington Conservation Corps coordinating council is to select, review approve and evaluate the success of Conservation Corps projects.  The Conservation Corps is reauthorized to July 1, 1995.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

Recreation trails are added to the statewide priorities to be addressed by the Conservation Corps.

Fiscal Note:    requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   No one