[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to establishment of a council of governments on natural resources; and adding new sections to chapter 75.46 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that several species of salmon and steelhead are listed or proposed to be listed as threatened or endangered under federal law. The legislature further finds that salmon recovery is a high priority for the economic, cultural, and environmental future of the state, and that recovery can be accomplished only through close and cooperative relationships between state, local, federal, and tribal governments. Salmon recovery must be addressed within a broad context of economic development needs, growth management to accommodate population, and other acute and unique problems already facing communities across the state. Efforts undertaken to develop a cooperative intergovernmental relationship show promise but would benefit from a clearer mandate and purpose. It is the intent of the legislature to establish an intergovernmental body to share information, to coordinate policy direction, to ensure that all levels of government are involved in developing a salmon recovery response, and to assist the legislative and executive branches in allocating resources for salmon recovery.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) A council of governments on natural resources is established. The council shall consist of the following members:

(a) Four representatives of county government, appointed by the Washington state association of counties;

(b) Four representatives of city government, appointed by the association of Washington cities;

(d) One member representing ports, appointed by the Washington public port association;

(e) One representative of water and sewer districts, appointed by the Washington association of sewer and water districts;

(f) One representative of public utility districts, appointed by the Washington public utility districts association;

(g) One representative of irrigation districts, appointed by the Washington state water resources association;

(h) Two members of the senate, selected by the president of the senate, with one member from each major caucus;

(i) Two members of the house of representatives, selected by the speaker of the house of representatives, with one member from each major caucus; and

(j) One representative from the governor's salmon recovery office.

(2) In addition to the members described in subsection (1) of this section, the following persons shall attend and support the council's efforts:

(a) The commissioner of public lands or the commissioner's designee;

(b) The director of the department of ecology;

(d) The director of the department of agriculture;

(e) The director of the department of community, trade, and economic development;

(f) The chair of the Puget Sound action team;

(g) The director of the conservation commission;

(h) The secretary of the department of transportation;

(i) The director of the interagency committee for outdoor recreation;

(j) The director of the park and recreation commission;

(k) The secretary of the department of health; and

(l) A member of the Pacific Northwest electric power and conservation planning council, appointed by the governor.

(3) The regional director of the national marine fisheries service, the regional supervisor of the United States fish and wildlife service, the regional director of the United States environmental protection agency, and the regional supervisor of the United States forest service shall be invited to join the council as ex officio nonvoting members.

(4) The council shall:

(a) In concert with the legislature, the joint cabinet on natural resources, and the salmon recovery office, coordinate state-wide policy on salmon recovery with local, tribal, and federal recovery efforts based within one or more watersheds or ecologically significant units, and develop, submit, and subsequently amend a recovery strategy or recovery strategies;

(b) Develop a process and criteria for allocation of state and federal funds for salmon recovery; and

(5) The council shall meet at least once every other month and shall choose a chair and a vice-chair from among its members.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The council of governments on natural resources terminates when all species of salmon and steelhead are removed by federal agencies from lists as threatened or endangered.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. Sections 1 through 3 of this act are each added to chapter 75.46 RCW.