[atlas:bill]

AN ACT Relating to coordinating implementation of watershed plans; adding new sections to chapter 90.54 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that each watershed in Washington is unique and requires its own management activities and techniques to protect and enhance the quality and stability of the watershed for the benefit of communities and residents. Such activities and techniques are most effective and efficient when they fully integrate and utilize the collaborative efforts of interested citizens and businesses, nonprofit organizations, tribes, agencies of local, state, and federal government, and state colleges and universities and coordinate the implementation of adopted watershed plans. The skills, community support, volunteer labor, and donations of goods and services that they generate substantially advance protection, enhancement, and restoration of watersheds and natural resources.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 90.54 RCW to read as follows:

(1) Voluntary watershed organizations formed for the purpose of implementing adopted watershed plans and coordinating their respective activities with other state entities and affected local, regional, tribal, federal government, and private nonprofit organizations are eligible for grants under this section.

(2) Voluntary watershed organizations, including private nonprofit organizations incorporated under Title 24 RCW, formed for the purpose of implementing adopted watershed plans may apply to the department for administrative support grants of up to fifty thousand dollars to maintain the organizational structure and functions necessary to fulfill their purpose.

(3) Administrative support grants may be used to compensate full or part-time staff, such as a director, project manager, or volunteer coordinator, and for obtaining grants and matching funds and in-kind donations and services, for recruiting volunteers, for providing technical and safety training, safety equipment, and insurance, and for maintaining required records and issuing required reports, and the like.

(4) Administrative support grants may be renewed annually.

(5) In addition to any other relevant requirements established by the department, applications for administrative support grants shall include a work plan for expenditure of the grant funds, a description of the planned activities for which the grant funds will provide administrative support, performance measures, and documentation of community involvement.

(6) Preference will be given to organizations that have completed projects successfully, have projects pending, and have established cooperative relationships with citizens, businesses, nonprofit organizations, tribes, agencies of local, state, and federal government, and state colleges and universities, as appropriate for the nature and scope of their activities.

(7) The department shall provide administrative support grants from available grant funds administered by the department and any appropriations made by the legislature to the department expressly for this purpose.

(8) For purposes of this section, adopted watershed plans include plans adopted under chapter 90.82 RCW, habitat conservation plans, requirements of federal energy regulatory commission licenses, plans adopted pursuant to Puget Sound water quality action grants, or legislative directives.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 90.54 RCW to read as follows:

There is hereby created a state watershed coordinating council. The purpose of the council is to provide information sharing and coordination among local watershed organizations and state, federal, and tribal entities.

The state watershed coordinating council shall consist of between fifteen and twenty-five members. Approximately half of the members shall represent local watershed organizations and be in proportion to the various major categories of adopted watershed plans as contained in section 2(8) of this act. The remaining members shall represent state, federal, and tribal entities, and scientists with expertise in watershed health.

The members of the state watershed coordinating council shall be appointed by the governor, in consultation with the entities that are to be represented.