[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to extending the time for the forest practices board to complete rule making required to implement the forests and fish report; amending RCW 76.09.370 and 76.09.055; and declaring an emergency.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 76.09.370 and 1999 sp.s. c 4 s 204 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that the process that produced the forests and fish report was instigated by the forest practices board, the report is the product of considerable negotiations between several diverse interest groups, and the report has the support of key federal agencies. When adopting permanent rules under this section, the forest practices board is strongly encouraged to follow the recommendations of the forests and fish report, but may include other alternatives for protection of aquatic resources. If the forest practices board chooses to adopt rules under this section that are not consistent with the recommendations contained in the forests and fish report, the board must notify the appropriate legislative committees of the proposed deviations, the reasons for the proposed deviations, and whether the parties to the forests and fish report still support the agreement. ((~~The board shall defer final adoption of such rules for sixty days of the legislative session to allow for the opportunity for additional public involvement and legislative oversight.~~))

(2) The forest practices board shall follow the regular rules adoption process contained in the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, when adopting permanent rules pertaining to forest practices and the protection of aquatic resources except as limited by subsection (1) of this section. The permanent rules must accomplish the policies stated in RCW 76.09.010 without jeopardizing the economic viability of the forest products industry.

(3) The rules adopted under this section should be as specific as reasonably possible while also allowing an applicant to propose alternate plans in response to site-specific physical features. Alternate plans should provide protection to public resources at least equal in overall effectiveness by alternate means.

(4) Rule making under subsection (2) of this section shall be completed by ((~~June 30~~)) October 1, 2001, and shall have an effective date of March 15, 2002, unless the legislature takes some action to forestall the effectiveness of the rules.

(5) The board should consider coordinating any environmental review process under chapter 43.21C RCW relating to the adoption of rules under subsection (2) of this section with any review of a related proposal under the national environmental policy act (42 U.S.C. Sec. 4321, et seq.).

(6) After the board has adopted permanent rules under subsection (2) of this section, changes to those rules and any new rules covering aquatic resources may be adopted by the board but only if the changes or new rules are consistent with recommendations resulting from the scientifically based adaptive management process established by a rule of the board. Any new rules or changes under this subsection need not be based upon the recommendations of the adaptive management process if: (a) The board is required to adopt or modify rules by the final order of any court having jurisdiction thereof; or (b) future state legislation directs the board to adopt or modify the rules.

(7) In adopting permanent rules, the board shall incorporate the scientific-based adaptive management process described in the forests and fish report which will be used to determine the effectiveness of the new forest practices rules in aiding the state's salmon recovery effort. The purpose of an adaptive management process is to make adjustments as quickly as possible to forest practices that are not achieving the resource objectives. The adaptive management process shall incorporate the best available science and information, include protocols and standards, regular monitoring, a scientific and peer review process, and provide recommendations to the board on proposed changes to forest practices rules to meet timber industry viability and salmon recovery.

Sec. 2. RCW 76.09.055 and 2000 c 11 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) The legislature finds that the declines of fish stocks throughout much of the state require immediate action to be taken to help restore these fish runs where possible. The legislature also recognizes that federal and state agencies, tribes, county representatives, and private timberland owners have spent considerable effort and time to develop the forests and fish report. Given the agreement of the parties, the legislature believes that the immediate adoption of emergency rules is appropriate in this particular instance. These rules can implement many provisions of the forests and fish report to protect the economic well-being of the state, and to minimize the risk to the state and landowners to legal challenges. This authority is not designed to set any precedents for the forest practices board in future rule making or set any precedents for other rule-making bodies of the state.

(2) The forest practices board is authorized to adopt emergency rules amending the forest practices rules with respect to the protection of aquatic resources, in accordance with RCW 34.05.350, except: (a) That the rules adopted under this section may remain in effect until the effective date of the permanent rules ((~~are adopted, or until June 30, 2001, whichever is sooner~~)); (b) notice of the proposed rules must be published in the Washington State Register as provided in RCW 34.05.320; (c) at least one public hearing must be conducted with an opportunity to provide oral and written comments; and (d) a rule-making file must be maintained as required by RCW 34.05.370. In adopting the emergency rules, the board is not required to prepare a small business economic impact statement under chapter 19.85 RCW, prepare a statement indicating whether the rules constitute a significant legislative rule under RCW 34.05.328, prepare a significant legislative rule analysis under RCW 34.05.328, or follow the procedural requirements of the state environmental policy act, chapter 43.21C RCW. The forest practices board may only adopt recommendations contained in the forests and fish report as emergency rules under this section.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. 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.