H-1606.1                  _______________________________________________

                                             SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1180

                              _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              53rd Legislature                             1993 Regular Session

By House Committee on Fisheries & Wildlife (originally sponsored by Representatives Jacobsen, Ogden, G. Cole, R. Fisher, J. Kohl, Anderson, Appelwick, Thibaudeau, King, Johanson and Locke)

Read first time 02/19/93.

Establishing the Union Bay wildlife habitat management area.

          AN ACT Relating to urban wildlife management areas; adding a new section to chapter 77.12 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  The legislature finds that areas of the state of Washington hold significance for wildlife habitat, study, and recreation.  Those areas located near major urban areas and important research institutions possess unique potential for study and research into the development, management, and use of natural systems in urban environments.

          It is the intent of the legislature to protect and enhance these areas for the following purposes:

          (1) Use as wildlife habitat;

          (2) Application of rational practices for the management of biological systems in urban environments;

          (3) Biological, environmental, and landscape architectural research and teaching;

          (4) Recreational enjoyment of nature that is compatible with the environment; and

          (5) Protection from development or construction other than that necessary to accomplish the purposes listed in this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2.  A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW to read as follows:

          (1) The Union Bay portion of Lake Washington is recognized as a prime wetland area that is of significant importance for wildlife habitat, educational opportunity, and recreation.  It is also situated near an important research institution, the University of Washington.

          (2) By December 31, 1994, the department shall develop a management plan for the Union Bay cooperative wildlife habitat management area.  The plan shall:

          (a) Identify the boundaries of the Union Bay cooperative wildlife habitat management area;

          (b) Suggest methods of restoring the Union Bay watershed to a more natural state;

          (c) Using existing data and knowledge, identify without conducting field surveys, wildlife resources of, wildlife management objectives for, and compatible uses with wildlife in the Union Bay cooperative wildlife habitat management area;

          (d) Present a strategy for accomplishing the wildlife objectives; and

          (e) Identify appropriate environmental education opportunities for the area.

          (3) The department shall establish an advisory committee to provide technical assistance and policy guidance.  Membership on the committee shall include but not be limited to persons representing the interests of federal, state, and local governmental entities, Indian tribes, relevant property owners and community members, business, and the environmental community.

          (4) By December 31, 1993, the department shall provide a progress report to the house of representatives fisheries and wildlife committee and the senate committee on parks and ecology.

          (5) The department may solicit gifts, grants, conveyances, bequests, and devises, whether real or personal property, or both, in trust or otherwise, to be directed to the department for carrying out the purposes of this section.  The department may solicit contracts for work, financial and in-kind contributions, and support from private industries, interest groups, federal and state sources, and other sources, for the purposes of this section.

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