SENATE BILL REPORT

 

 

                                    HB 2037

 

 

BYRepresentatives Raiter, Cooper, Morris, Brumsickle, Vekich, Peery, Bowman, Schoon and H. Myers 

 

 

Extending exemptions for Mt. St. Helens recovery operations.

 

 

House Committe on State Government

 

 

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

 

      Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1989

 

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Bauer, Benitz, Kreidler, Owen, Sutherland.

 

      Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  March 30, 1989

 

 

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 30, 1989

 

BACKGROUND:

 

When Mount St. Helens erupted in May, 1980, the north face of the mountain lost three billion cubic yards of sand, silt, and rock.  Recovery operations to correct damage to property and river systems have been coordinated through local, state and federal governments, with expenditures to date totalling over $1 billion.

 

In 1982 the Legislature enacted a series of laws to provide exemptions from certain state requirements for Mount St. Helens emergency recovery operations.

 

These exemptions and special legislation needs to be extended due to continuing recovery activities.

 

SUMMARY:

 

The exemptions for Mount St. Helens recovery operations from laws regarding:  1) water and flood control under the Department of Ecology; 2) the State Environmental Policy Act; 3) county regulations on diking and drainage; and 4) the Shorelines Management Act, are extended from June 30, 1990, to June 30, 1995.

 

The requirement for the Directors of Fisheries and Wildlife to process hydraulic applications within 15 days for flood control and dredging projects in certain portions of the Cowlitz and Toutle rivers is extended from June 30, 1990, to June 30, 1995.  The requirement is expanded to include the South Fork Toutle River up to river mile three.

 

Land owners who allow Mount St. Helens debris onto their property to sell are not required to pay a royalty charge through June 30, 1995.

 

Appropriation:    none

 

Revenue:    none

 

Fiscal Note:      requested February 22, 1989

 

Senate Committee - Testified: No one