AN ACT Relating to wetlands management; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that wetlands protect and preserve drinking water; provide a natural means of flood and storm damage protection through the absorption and storage of water during high run-off periods, thereby reducing flood crests and preventing loss of life and property; serve as a transition zone between dry land and water courses, thereby retarding soil erosion and improving water quality through natural filtration and absorption; provide essential breeding, spawning, rearing, feeding, nesting, and wintering habitats for a major portion of the state's fish and wildlife; maintain surface waters through the gradual release of stored flood waters and ground water, particularly during drought periods; provide readily accessible outdoor biophysical laboratories, living classrooms, and vast training and educational resources; and provide scenic and aesthetic benefits.

(2) The legislature further finds that:

(a) More than fifty percent of the state's original wetlands have been drained, dredged, filled, or otherwise altered;

(b) Over ninety percent of the original saltwater wetlands in urban estuaries of Puget Sound have been eliminated;

(c) In urban areas, freshwater wetland losses are estimated at seventy-five acres per month or more than nine hundred acres per year;

(d) Few areas of the state have a wetland management program; and

(e) Wetland management is a matter of state concern since benefits and impacts related to wetland resources are regional or state-wide in scope.

Therefore the legislature declares that in the interest of understanding Washington state's wetland management and protection needs, a report clarifying those needs should be presented to the 1989 legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A committee shall be charged with the task of developing a report for the legislature that addresses the following:

(1) The extent of Washington's wetlands, including a quantitative assessment of types and sizes;

(2) A qualitative assessment of the major functions and values of the state's wetland types;

(3) The extent of wetland alteration in the state, including degradation, destruction, creation, and restoration, and the activities responsible for such alterations. The source of this information shall include public meetings with citizens and local government officials from each county;

(4) Definition of the term "wetland," including an assessment of this term as applied to regulatory programs throughout the state;

(5) Legislative and other options which can be implemented to reduce adverse impacts to wetlands identified as valuable and threatened;

(6) The need for the development of a state wetlands mitigation policy;

(7) The need for increased public information and education;

(8) A summary and analysis of the existing programs of federal, state, and local agencies that deal with wetlands; and

(9) An examination of landowner incentive programs that promote wetlands preservation and recommendations on how those programs can be improved or expanded.

The report shall be presented to the 1989 legislature.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. (1) The committee created in section 2 of this act shall include, but not be limited to, representatives from the state legislature, which shall consist of two to be appointed from each caucus in the house of representatives and the senate, and representatives from the agricultural community, the public ports, the development community, the industrial community, the timber industry, local government, Indian tribes, the environmental community, hunting and fishing associations, and citizens-at-large having an interest in this issue.

(2) The committee shall be appointed by the governor except for the representatives from the legislature, who shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.

(3) Interested state agencies may have representatives on the committee who will serve in advisory capacities only.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. It shall be the responsibility of the department of ecology to provide staff support to the committee and to develop implementation options for the tasks identified in section 2 of this act. The department of ecology shall coordinate with other interested state, federal, and local agencies to utilize their wetlands technical expertise when appropriate.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act shall expire on June 30, 1989.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.