S-4619

AN ACT Relating to the enhancement of riparian habitat adjacent to cropped or pastured areas; adding a new section to chapter 43.06 RCW; creating new sections; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that:

(a) An existing federal program is available to states willing to make an additional state contribution that will provide incentives to owners of pasture and crop land for the protection and enhancement of riparian areas adjacent to lakes, streams, and rivers in the state;

(b) The activation of this program will aid in the ability to enhance and restore habitat for fish species that have been or may be listed under the federal endangered species act and to improve the quality and temperature of water in bodies of water that do not currently meet water quality standards;

(c) Because there is a limitation on the number of acres that may be enrolled in the federal program on a nation-wide basis, the state needs to act expeditiously so that the opportunity to obtain the benefits of the program will not be lost due to inaction; and

(d) The conservation reserve state enhancement program provides an array of options to enhance riparian areas including the voluntary enrollment on a lease basis of riparian lands by land owners for ten to fifteen years and providing cost share for the optional planting of suitable trees and shrubs and construction of fencing that will restore and enhance fish habitat, filter sediments, and provide shading to improve water temperature conditions.

(2) It is the intent of the legislature to authorize the formulation of a memorandum of agreement between the state of Washington, the United States department of agriculture, and the commodity credit corporation. It is the intent that this program be available to landowners on a voluntary basis and also be available to lands located within tribal reservations.

(3) The advisory committee shall, in formulating a recommended program for protection of riparian areas, consider cost-effective ways to provide for long-term protection of riparian areas beyond the ten to fifteen-year period of the lease agreement including the voluntary acquisition of permanent easements for riparian areas.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A conservation reserve state enhancement program advisory committee is established. The committee shall include: A representative appointed by the directors of the department of agriculture, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of ecology, and the state conservation commission; two members of the senate, one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the president of the senate; and two members of the house of representatives, one from each of the two largest caucuses, appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Additionally, the governor shall appoint additional members that represent agricultural organizations, environmental organizations, county governments, and tribal governments. Representatives from appropriate federal agencies may be invited by the governor to participate. The advisory committee shall elect a person to serve as chair of the committee. The governor shall make appropriate provisions for staffing the committee. The committee shall hold its first meeting by June 1, 1998.

(2) The purpose of the committee is to provide comments to the governor on specific provisions that should be included in the conservation reserve state enhancement program and the associated memorandum of agreement. The governor may establish a deadline for the work of the committee to be finished. The governor may enter into a memorandum of understanding with the appropriate federal agencies to institute the program. The governor is encouraged to consider having the program administered by existing federal agencies to minimize administrative expenses.

(3) This section expires December 31, 1998.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 43.06 RCW to read as follows:

The governor may enter into agreements with the federal government to participate in funding of the conservation reserve state enhancement program.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.