BP BHEAD INT S [atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to coordination of environmental restoration and land acquisition; adding new sections to chapter 43.21C RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The coordination of environmental restoration priorities and mitigation responsibilities is intended to improve the ecological benefits gained from state expenditures, provide greater emphasis on shared natural resource management, increase leveraging opportunities for cost-share projects, and increase mitigation credit opportunities. Mitigation credits include units of compensation for mitigation activities that may be applied to or replace other environmental functions or mitigation requirements. Mitigation credits earned from these activities are not intended to reduce mitigation obligations, but to reduce the cost of meeting those obligations and to provide greater ecological benefits.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.21C RCW to read as follows:

(1) The interagency commission on outdoor recreation, the conservation commission, the department of transportation, the department of community, trade, and economic development, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of natural resources, the parks and recreation commission, the department of ecology, and any other state agencies receiving appropriations from the capital budget or the transportation budget for land acquisition, environmental restoration, or environmental mitigation activities shall, to the extent feasible, coordinate those acquisitions and activities.

(2) When cost-effective and ecologically beneficial, the acquisition and development of environmental mitigation sites, including, but not limited to, wetland banks and advance mitigation, shall be coordinated with priority environmental restoration and enhancement activities. The coordination of environmental restoration and mitigation activities shall also take into consideration the acquisitions and activities of local watershed groups.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.21C RCW to read as follows:

State agencies affected by section 2 of this act shall create a work group to develop implementation procedures for identifying and coordinating the activities set out under section 2 of this act. Development of these procedures shall include consideration of the following activities:

(1) Each agency or work group shall review and summarize its funding mechanisms for the distribution of funds appropriated to the agency in the capital budget or transportation budget. The summary shall include a concise description of application procedures, eligibility criteria, deadlines for application, and timelines for distribution of funds. Agencies shall provide a comprehensive listing of proposed and funded restoration projects.

State agencies shall apply incentives to grant and loan applications based on demonstrated coordination of design, construction, and funding of watershed improvement projects.

(2) Each agency or work group shall review and summarize its planning process used to determine both short-term and long-term project development. The summary shall include a concise description of the planning process. Agencies shall provide a comprehensive listing of proposed and funded construction projects.

(3) The work group shall create a comprehensive data base to enable coordination of funds appropriated in the capital budget or transportation budget between agencies. The data base must enable the use of geographic information systems to facilitate coordination of funded restoration sites and potential mitigation needs associated with construction projects. The work group shall make recommendations for coordinating grant application deadlines and funding cycles. The work group shall develop procedures for evaluating data to identify and implement opportunities for coordination.

(4) The work group shall create mechanisms for dissemination of capital project information among the agencies. This information will allow for the systematic coordination of project development among agencies.

(5) Each agency shall track project costs, benefits, and improvements to project administration.

(6) The office of financial management shall report to the legislature on the number of coordinated projects, costs, benefits, and process improvements by December 31, 1999.

(7) The work group shall evaluate opportunities for providing incentives and outreach activities to facilitate coordination with other entities that provide either loans or grants, or both, for transportation corridor improvements. These entities include, but are not limited to, the Washington state county road administration board, the transportation improvement board, the United States department of agriculture, the rural development council, the public works board, and the community economic revitalization board.