H-4236              _______________________________________________

                                                   HOUSE BILL NO. 1607

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1988 Regular Session

By Representatives Bumgarner, Cole, Sutherland, Silver, Day, Taylor, Dellwo, D. Sommers, Padden and Moyer

Read first time 1/20/88 and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to the study and development of wildlife habitat and watershed management for the Spokane river drainage system; 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.     The legislature finds that:

          (1) Each watershed in Washington is unique and each requires different management techniques and programs;

          (2) The initiation and implementation of watershed management plans should be planned and implemented at the local level by persons or agencies that perceive the need and have the management responsibility for achieving the best solution for local watershed enhancement;

          (3) It is in the best interest of the state to restore, maintain, and enhance its watersheds in order to protect the economic and social well-being of the state and its citizens;

          (4) Efforts to restore, enhance and maintain the state's watersheds are an integral element in improving wildlife habitat;

          (5) There is an ever-increasing need for cooperation among local, state, and federal government agencies, private landowners, nonprofit organizations, and private industry to implement any plan for wildlife habitat development and enhancement and improved water quality;

          (6) There is an increased awareness of the potential of the Spokane river as a sports fishery and recreational asset which requires further research to develop and manage.  Therefore, the legislature finds it is in the best interest of the state to facilitate and encourage cooperative development of a watershed plan, using the Spokane river drainage system as a demonstration project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.     (1) The department of ecology shall conduct a study of the Spokane river drainage system.  The purpose of the study is to prepare for the development of a watershed management plan that will (a) enhance the fish resource of the system; (b) improve water quality; (c) enhance wildlife habitat; and (d) control nonpoint source pollution.

          (2) The department shall involve interested local, state, and federal government agencies, private landowners, nonprofit organizations and private industry in conducting the study and in any development of a watershed plan.

          (3) The department may accept private sector financial support and local government contributions to carry out the purpose of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3.     The department shall report to the house of representatives' natural resources committee on the status of the study by December 15, 1988.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4.     This act shall expire on June 30, 1991.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5.     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.