SENATE BILL REPORT

SSB 6836

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Barr, Owen, Patterson and Metcalf)

Creating the Lake Roosevelt wildlife mitigation demonstration project.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):January 31, 1990

Majority Report:     That Substitute Senate Bill No. 6836 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

     Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Kreidler, Patterson.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                February 12, 1990

AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 10, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Pacific Northwest Power Planning Council and the Washington State Department of Wildlife are engaged in negotiating mitigation projects for the wildlife habitat lost due to the construction of dams on the Columbia River.  There are many approaches that can be taken to protect wildlife.  Each approach should suit the area which is being mitigated and local input is necessary to ensure the success of wildlife mitigation projects.

SUMMARY:

The Legislature establishes a Wildlife Mitigation Project that will:  emphasize preservation of current land uses; provide direction to the Department of Wildlife and federal agencies; provide increased public access to private land on a voluntary basis; select enhancement of the species best suited for each management area to show that a demonstration program can work in one area and might be applied to other areas of the state; demonstrate methods to enhance habitat and increase the wildlife caring capacity of public and private lands, consistent with agriculture and timber use; and maintain tax income from public and private lands.

The act is designed to help meet local wildlife needs and to provide a practical program which relates directly to the area.  Private property rights will receive the highest level of protection and existing and future requirements for agriculture and timber production and timber land will be ensured.  Citizens in each area shall be fully and decisively involved in the planning and implementation of all mitigation projects.  Mitigation efforts must not negatively impact private property rights, the local tax base, the needs of agriculture and timber, or state and local land use programs.

The Legislature establishes a steering committee, appointed by the Governor, which shall independently assess wildlife mitigation needs in the Lake Roosevelt area.  A 24-member steering committee is established representing counties, local land owners, utilities, state agencies, federal agencies, Indian tribes, and Washington State University.  The steering committee will set its own agenda and elect its own officers.  They may seek and expend public and private grant funds to carry out the requirements of the act.

The committee will hold public hearings in the Lake Roosevelt area and will ensure adequate, timely notice of the hearings to all government agencies and the public.  The committee will follow the general meeting procedures commonly used by state and local government.

In establishing the demonstration project the committee will:  assess the development of a mitigation plan for public and private land; assess the development of a decision making progress to make recommendations to the Northwest Power Planning Council and the Bonneville Power Administration; and study and make recommendations on issues for plan development, including local government impacts, utility rate consideration, wildlife species including habitat, sportsmen's needs, recreational needs, land use regulations, and wildlife supply goal.

Agencies of state government shall follow the recommendations of the steering committee in making recommendations to the Northwest Power Planning Council.  The demonstration project will mitigate the loss of wildlife habitat and should not require further state and federal acquisition of land.  The Department of Wildlife will cooperate with the steering committee and will provide staff reports for the committee's use.

The Department of Wildlife will report annually to the Legislature on cooperation efforts in the Lake Roosevelt demonstration project.  The steering committee will report to the House of Representatives and the Senate committees every six months on their progress and on any needed legislation.  The steering committee is terminated on June 30, 1996.  Members of the steering committee may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses and the sum of $5,000 is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991 from the general fund for travel expenses of the members.

Appropriation:  $5,000 from the general fund

Revenue:   none

Fiscal Note:    none requested

Senate Committee - Testified:   Ted Bottiger, Northwest Power Planning Council (pro); Jim King, Sportsmen's Council (pro)