AN ACT Relating to urban and community forestry; adding a new chapter to Title 79 RCW; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. LEGISLATIVE FINDING AND DECLARATION. The legislature hereby finds that:

(1) Trees and other woody vegetation are an important and necessary part of urban and community environments as street trees and on park lands, open spaces, and rights of way. These urban forests have value for protection of wildlife, air and water quality, soil conservation, and aesthetic and social benefits.

(2) Urban areas in Washington state are growing rapidly, and the need to plan for, protect, plant, and maintain the urban forest is increasing. Cities and communities have expressed a need for assistance in evaluating insect, disease, soil, drainage, and infrastructure conflicts and for planning for new urban developments, inventory and program design, and species planting selection.

(3) Assistance and encouragement for establishment, retention, and enhancement of these forests and trees by local governments are declared to be in the interest of the state in protecting and enhancing the liveability of Washington's cities and providing an environment conducive to economic development.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. DEFINITIONS. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter.

(1) "Department" means the department of natural resources.

(2) "Person" means any individual, partnership, private, public, or municipal corporation, state, county, or local governmental entity, or association of individuals of whatever nature.

(3) "Urban and community forestry" means the management of forests, trees, and other woody vegetation in urban and community areas to improve their health, vigor, and composition.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. ESTABLISHMENT AND ADMINISTRATION OF PROGRAM. The department may establish and administer an urban and community forestry program to provide technical assistance to persons for the establishment, retention, and enhancement of forests and trees within the urban environment.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO LOCALITIES AND INDIVIDUALS. The department may provide technical assistance to aid in the establishment, retention, and enhancement of forests and trees within the urban environment. This technical assistance shall be available to persons in any region of the state, and any size community and may include:

(1) Management recommendations for the establishment, retention, and enhancement of forests and trees in the urban environment;

(2) Advice on:

(a) Insect and disease problems;

(b) Street tree inventory and program design;

(d) Soils and drainage problems; and

(e) Tree and infrastructure conflicts;

(3) Technical evaluation of site development plans; and

(4) Ordinance drafting and implementation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. COOPERATION. When carrying out this chapter, the department should encourage the use of goods and services available through private nurseries, landscape architects, contractors, arborists, consultants, or others in the business of urban and community forestry. The department should seek the cooperation of Washington State University-Cooperative Extension, the center for urban horticulture at the University of Washington, other educational institutions, the department of agriculture, the department of community development, and other agencies and associations in carrying out the purposes of this chapter.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. SECTION CAPTIONS. Section headings as used in this chapter do not constitute any part of the law.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. SHORT TITLE. This chapter shall be known and cited as the urban and community forestry act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. Sections 1 through 7 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 79 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The sum of ninety-eight thousand nine hundred dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1989, from the general fund to the department of natural resources for the purposes of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. If any provision of this act or its application to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the remainder of the act or the application of the provision to other persons or circumstances is not affected.