SB 6731-S2.E - DIGEST

(DIGEST AS ENACTED)

     Directs the department to establish an interjurisdictional committee for the development of the landscape plan, to review the site-specific activities and make recommendations.  The interjurisdictional committee shall include two members of the public who have an interest in these activities.

     Requires the landscape plan to address at  least the following topics:  (1) Establishing riparian management zones along all streams, as classified under chapter 4, Laws of 1999 sp. sess.  The department shall manage lands within such zones to protect water quality and riparian habitat, and the interjurisdictional committee may recommend to the department restrictions upon timber harvest and yarding activities on a case-by-case basis;

     (2) harvest and road construction upon potentially unstable slopes shall be carefully regulated;

     (3) on unstable slopes, new road construction shall be prohibited and old road reconstruction shall be limited;

     (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.

     Provides that timber harvest and all road construction in the watershed on state land shall be delayed until the plan is completed.