READ FIRST TIME 03/04/05.   

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a management program for Hood Canal rehabilitation; adding new sections to chapter 90.-- RCW; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that Hood Canal is a precious aquatic resource of our state. The legislature finds that Hood Canal is a rich source of recreation, fishing, aquaculture, and aesthetic enjoyment for the citizens of this state. The legislature also finds that Hood Canal has great cultural significance for the tribes in the Hood Canal area. The legislature therefore recognizes Hood Canal's substantial environmental, cultural, economic, recreational, and aesthetic importance to Washington.
     (2) The legislature finds that Hood Canal is a marine water of the state at significant risk. The legislature finds that Hood Canal has a "dead zone" related to low-dissolved oxygen concentrations, a condition that has recurred for many years. The legislature also finds this problem and various contributors to the problem were documented in the May 2004 Preliminary Assessment and Corrective Action Plan published by the state Puget Sound action team and the Hood Canal coordinating council.
     (3) The legislature further finds that significant research, monitoring, and study efforts are currently occurring regarding Hood Canal's low-dissolved oxygen concentrations. The legislature recognizes that federal, state, tribal, and local governments and other organizations and entities are coordinating research, monitoring, and modeling efforts through the Hood Canal low-dissolved oxygen program. The legislature also recognizes that these entities and others are continuing individual efforts to study and identify potential solutions for Hood Canal's low-dissolved oxygen concentrations. The legislature also recognizes numerous public, private, and community organizations are working to provide public education regarding Hood Canal's low-dissolved oxygen concentrations. The legislature recognizes and encourages the continuation of these efforts.
     (4) The legislature finds a need exists for the state to provide additional resources to address Hood Canal's low-dissolved oxygen concentrations. The legislature also finds a need exists to designate the state and local entities to develop, coordinate, and administer a Hood Canal rehabilitation program and funding.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) The development of a program for rehabilitation of Hood Canal is authorized in Jefferson, Kitsap, and Mason counties within the aquatic rehabilitation zone one.
     (2) The Puget Sound action team is designated as the state lead agency for the rehabilitation program authorized in this section.
     (3) The Hood Canal coordinating council is designated as the local management board for the rehabilitation program authorized in this section.
     (4) The Puget Sound action team and the Hood Canal coordinating council must each approve and must comanage projects under the rehabilitation program authorized in this section.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The Hood Canal coordinating council shall serve as the local management board for aquatic rehabilitation zone one. The local management board shall coordinate local government efforts with respect to the program authorized according to section 2 of this act. In the Hood Canal area, the Hood Canal coordinating council also shall:
     (a) Serve as the lead entity and the regional recovery organization for the purposes of chapter 77.85 RCW for Hood Canal summer chum; and
     (b) Assist in coordinating activities under chapter 90.82 RCW.
     (2) When developing and implementing the program authorized in section 2 of this act and when establishing funding criteria according to subsection (7) of this section, the Puget Sound action team and the local management board shall solicit participation by federal, tribal, state, and local agencies and universities and nonprofit organizations with expertise in areas related to program activities. The local management board may include state and federal agency representatives, or additional persons, as nonvoting management board members or may receive technical assistance and advice from them in other venues. The local management board also may appoint technical advisory committees as needed.
     (3) The local management board and the Puget Sound action team shall participate in the development of the program authorized under section 2 of this act.
     (4) The local management board and its participating local and tribal governments shall assess concepts for a regional governance structure and shall submit a report regarding the findings and recommendations to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2007.
     (5) Any of the local management board's participating counties and tribes, any federal, tribal, state, or local agencies, or any universities or nonprofit organizations may continue individual efforts and activities for rehabilitation of Hood Canal. Nothing in this section limits the authority of units of local government to enter into interlocal agreements under chapter 39.34 RCW or any other provision of law.
     (6) The local management board may not exercise authority over land or water within the individual counties or otherwise preempt the authority of any units of local government.
     (7) The local management board and the Puget Sound action team each may receive and disburse funding for projects, studies, and activities related to Hood Canal's low-dissolved oxygen concentrations. The Puget Sound action team and the local management board shall jointly coordinate a process to prioritize projects, studies, and activities for which the Puget Sound action team receives state funding specifically allocated for Hood Canal corrective actions to implement this section. The local management board and the Puget Sound action team shall establish criteria for funding these projects, studies, and activities based upon their likely value in addressing and resolving Hood Canal's low-dissolved oxygen concentrations. Final approval for projects under this section requires the consent of both the Puget Sound action team and the local management board. Projects under this section must be comanaged by the Puget Sound action team and the local management board. Nothing in this section prohibits any federal, tribal, state, or local agencies, universities, or nonprofit organizations from receiving funding for specific projects that may assist in the rehabilitation of Hood Canal.
     (8) The local management board may hire and fire staff, including an executive director, enter into contracts, accept grants and other moneys, disburse funds, make recommendations to local governments about potential regulations and the development of programs and incentives upon request, pay all necessary expenses, and choose a fiduciary agent.
     (9) The local management board shall report its progress on a quarterly basis to the legislative bodies of the participating counties and tribes and the participating state agencies. The local management board also shall submit an annual report describing its efforts and successes in implementing the program established according to section 2 of this act to the appropriate committees of the legislature.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 4   This act does not apply to forest practices regulated under chapter 76.09 RCW.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 5   Nothing in this act provides any regulatory authority to the Puget Sound action team or the Hood Canal coordinating council.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 6   The activities of the Puget Sound action team and the Hood Canal coordinating council required by this act are subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 7   Sections 2 and 3 of this act are each added to chapter 90.-- RCW (the new chapter created in Substitute House Bill No. 2081).

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 8   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.