AN ACT Relating to small scale prospecting and mining; amending RCW 75.20.100; adding a new section to chapter 75.20 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 small scale prospecting and mining is an important part of the heritage of the state. The legislature further finds that small scale prospecting and mining provide economic benefits to the state, and help to meet the national security demand and industrial demand for minerals. The legislature further finds that it is critical that small scale miners and prospectors be allowed access to open public lands in the state. The legislature further finds that mineral prospecting and mining activities can be conducted in a manner that is consistent with fish habitat and fish-life population. Now, therefore, the legislature declares that small scale prospecting and mining must not be unreasonably regulated. The legislature further declares that small scale prospecting and mining must not be unfairly limited or obstructed from access to open public lands. The legislature further declares that all restrictions or regulations of small scale prospecting and mining activities must be based on sound scientific evidence and applicable documentation supporting the need for such restrictions.

Sec. 2. RCW 75.20.100 and 1993 sp.s. c 2 s 30 are each amended to read as follows:

In the event that any person or government agency desires to construct any form of hydraulic project or perform other work that will use, divert, obstruct, or change the natural flow or bed of any of the salt or fresh waters of the state, such person or government agency shall, before commencing construction or work thereon and to ensure the proper protection of fish life, secure the written approval of the department as to the adequacy of the means proposed for the protection of fish life. This approval shall not be unreasonably withheld. Except as provided in RCW 75.20.1001 ((~~and 75.20.1002~~)), the department shall grant or deny approval within forty-five calendar days of the receipt of a complete application and notice of compliance with any applicable requirements of the state environmental policy act, made in the manner prescribed in this section. The applicant may document receipt of application by filing in person or by registered mail. A complete application for approval shall contain general plans for the overall project, complete plans and specifications of the proposed construction or work within the mean higher high water line in salt water or within the ordinary high water line in fresh water, and complete plans and specifications for the proper protection of fish life. The forty-five day requirement shall be suspended if (1) after ten working days of receipt of the application, the applicant remains unavailable or unable to arrange for a timely field evaluation of the proposed project; (2) the site is physically inaccessible for inspection; or (3) the applicant requests delay. Immediately upon determination that the forty-five day period is suspended, the department shall notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for the delay. Approval is valid for a period of up to five years from date of issuance. The permittee must demonstrate substantial progress on construction of that portion of the project relating to the approval within two years of the date of issuance. If the department denies approval, the department shall provide the applicant, in writing, a statement of the specific reasons why and how the proposed project would adversely affect fish life. Protection of fish life shall be the only ground upon which approval may be denied or conditioned. Chapter 34.05 RCW applies to any denial of project approval, conditional approval, or requirements for project modification upon which approval may be contingent. If any person or government agency commences construction on any hydraulic works or projects subject to this section without first having obtained written approval of the department as to the adequacy of the means proposed for the protection of fish life, or if any person or government agency fails to follow or carry out any of the requirements or conditions as are made a part of such approval, the person or director of the agency is guilty of a gross misdemeanor. If any such person or government agency is convicted of violating any of the provisions of this section and continues construction on any such works or projects without fully complying with the provisions hereof, such works or projects are hereby declared a public nuisance and shall be subject to abatement as such.

For the purposes of this section and RCW 75.20.103, "bed" shall mean the land below the ordinary high water lines of state waters. This definition shall not include irrigation ditches, canals, storm water run-off devices, or other artificial watercourses except where they exist in a natural watercourse that has been altered by man.

The phrase "to construct any form of hydraulic project or perform other work" shall not include the act of driving across an established ford. Driving across streams or on wetted stream beds at areas other than established fords requires approval. Work within the ordinary high water line of state waters to construct or repair a ford or crossing requires approval.

In case of an emergency arising from weather or stream flow conditions or other natural conditions, the department, through its authorized representatives, shall issue immediately upon request oral approval for removing any obstructions, repairing existing structures, restoring stream banks, or to protect property threatened by the stream or a change in the stream flow without the necessity of obtaining a written approval prior to commencing work. Conditions of an oral approval shall be reduced to writing within thirty days and complied with as provided for in this section. Oral approval shall be granted immediately upon request, for a stream crossing during an emergency situation.

This section shall not apply to the construction of any form of hydraulic project or other work which diverts water for agricultural irrigation or stock watering purposes authorized under or recognized as being valid by the state's water codes, or when such hydraulic project or other work is associated with streambank stabilization to protect farm and agricultural land as defined in RCW 84.34.020. These irrigation or stock watering diversion and streambank stabilization projects shall be governed by RCW 75.20.103.

This section does not apply to small scale prospecting and mining activities, which are governed by section 3 of this act.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 75.20 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Small scale prospecting and mining is exempt from the provisions of this chapter, provided that such activity does not undercut streambanks or disturb rooted live woody plants such as trees or shrubs.

(2) For the purposes of this chapter, "small scale prospecting and mining" means the use of methods such as pans, sluice boxes, concentrators, and mini-rocker boxes for the discovery and recovery of minerals.