SB 6731-S - DIGEST

(SUBSTITUTED FOR - SEE 2ND SUB)

     Requires the landscape plan to address at  least the following topics:  (1) Establishing riparian management zones along all streams, as classified under chapter 5, Laws of 1999 sp. sess.  The department shall manage lands within such zones to protect water quality and riparian habitat, and interdisciplinary technical teams may recommend to the department restrictions upon timber harvest and yarding activities on a case-by-case basis;

     (2) harvest and road construction upon unstable slopes should be carefully regulated, including limiting new road construction and old road reconstruction on unstable slopes, including windthrow buffers during harvest, as necessary;

     (3) creating and implementing a sustainable yield model specific to  the Lake Whatcom watershed that encompasses the revised management standards and that is consistent with the sustained yield established by the board of natural resources;

     (4) the department should build on the existing draft Lake Whatcom landscape plan and incorporate both new information from the community and new scientific information when available; and

     (5) the development of a road management plan for the watershed.

     Requires the landscape plan to be completed and implementation initiated by June 30, 2001.  Timber harvest in the watershed on state land shall be delayed until the plan is completed.

     Makes an appropriation of two million dollars for the biennium ending June 30, 2001, from the forest development account to the department of natural resources to expedite the development and implementation of road management for the Lake Whatcom watershed.  The plan is to be completed by December 31, 2001, and implementation shall begin immediately upon completion.

          Provides that the act shall be null and void if appropriations are not approved.