AN ACT Relating to a wildlife habitat mitigation demonstration project; creating new sections; and making an appropriation.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature intends to establish a wildlife habitat mitigation demonstration project that will:

(1) Emphasize preservation of current land uses along with increased wildlife and wildlife habitat and management techniques that are compatible with current use;

(2) Provide local direction to the department of wildlife and federal agencies for mitigation of loss of wildlife habitat from the construction of federal dams and the Columbia river system that produce power and water for irrigation and domestic use;

(3) Provide for increased public access to enhance private land on a voluntary basis by private landowners;

(4) Select enhancement of species best suited for each management area based on what will work, not necessarily wildlife that existed in the area prior to changes in the habitat;

(5) Show that the mitigation program for the flooding of low-level and riparian lands in the Coulee Dam area can have positive management impacts for other areas of the state;

(6) Demonstrate a program for state-wide habitat improvement and greater access for the public without significantly limiting current land use for agriculture and compatible private enterprise;

(7) Enhance habitat to increase the wildlife-carrying capacity of private and public lands consistent with agriculture and timber uses; and

(8) Attempt to maintain tax income from lands without increasing public ownership, and enhance tax income by more intensive recreational use of private land while ensuring protection of existing and future private agriculture and timber land development.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. It is the purpose of this act and the intent of the legislature that:

(1) Wildlife mitigation measures shall be developed to meet local wildlife needs and to provide a practical program that is best suited to the regional area;

(2) Private property rights shall receive the highest level of consideration;

(3) Existing and future requirement for agriculture and timber production on state and private land must be insured;

(4) Citizens in each area must be fully and decisively involved in the planning and implementation of all mitigation efforts; and

(5) Mitigation efforts must not negatively impact private property rights, the local tax base, the needs of agriculture, timber production, and local and state land use programs.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. It is the intent of the legislature that the steering committee, while considering existing mitigation proposals of state and federal governments, shall address all issues on an independent basis. The goal should be a demonstration project with innovative programs best suited to local needs. The overlying principle is to produce a system that could be used in other areas of the state. In establishing policy for the project and in making recommendations on its implementation, the committee shall consider the mitigation criteria of the Northwest power planning council.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. The Lake Roosevelt wildlife mitigation demonstration project is hereby created by the Washington state legislature. The county legislative authorities of Ferry, Stevens, and Lincoln counties shall, in cooperation with Douglas and Okanogan counties, jointly establish and call the first formal meeting of the steering committee for the project.

The county legislative authorities shall jointly nominate local representatives of the following entities to serve on the twenty-four member steering committee:

(1) One representative of Ferry county, one representative from Stevens county, and one representative for Lincoln county;

(2) Nine local landowners, three from each county;

(3) One representative of the local utilities;

(4) One representative of the department of wildlife;

(5) One representative of the department of natural resources;

(6) One representative of the Bonneville power administration;

(7) Three representatives of sports groups;

(8) One representative of environmental groups;

(9) One representative of the local soil conservation districts;

(10) One representative from the Colville Indian tribe and one representative from the Spokane Indian tribe;

(11) One representative of the Washington state university; and

(12) One representative of the wildlife commission.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. The steering committee shall set its own agenda based on this act and shall elect its own officers and establish its own rules of procedure. The committee may seek and expend public and private grant funds to carry out the requirements of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 6. The steering committee shall hold public hearings in the Lake Roosevelt area and will ensure adequate and timely notice of the hearings to all government agencies and the public. Records of the hearings shall be recorded on tape and the committee shall keep and maintain records which shall be open to the public. The committee shall follow public meeting procedures common to those used by state and local government.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 7. In establishing the demonstration project the steering committee will address the following issues in addition to any other relevant issue they choose to address:

(1) The development of a demonstration mitigation plan to be implemented on privately owned land and/or on public lands in the project area;

(2) The development of a plan and a decision-making process for making recommendations to the Northwest power planning council and/or Bonneville power administration;

(3) Study and make recommendations on related issues for plan development including but not limited to local government impact; utilities rate considerations; wildlife species, including habitat, feed, and predators; sportsmen's needs; recreational needs; land use regulations; and wildlife supply goals.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 8. It is the intent of the legislature that the agencies of state government follow the recommendations of the steering committee relating to the demonstration project in making recommendations to the Northwest power planning council. All participants shall work together to produce a viable program for wildlife mitigation, which can serve as a model for the areas of the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 9. The purpose of this demonstration project shall be to mitigate the loss of wildlife habitat and not to require further state or federal acquisition of land.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 10. The department of wildlife shall cooperate with the steering committee and will provide staff support and data for the committee's use.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 11. The department of wildlife shall report annually to the legislature on cooperation efforts of the Lake Roosevelt demonstration project and the department. The legislature may consider further local regional projects to mitigate loss of wildlife habitat.

The steering committee will report to the house of representatives and senate standing committees every six months on their progress and on any needed legislation.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 12. The steering committee shall cease to exist June 30, 1996.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 13. Steering committee members may be reimbursed for necessary travel expenses subject to the requirements of chapter 41.04 RCW.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 14. The sum of five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1991, from the state general fund to the department of wildlife for travel expenses of the members of the steering committee.