HB 1263 - DIGEST

Requires the department of fish and wildlife to, whenever practical, integrate the rules and programs developed under chapter 77.55 RCW with the rules and programs developed by the department of natural resources governing forest practices under chapter 76.09 RCW.

Authorizes the department of fish and wildlife to conduct a pilot project testing the applicability and enforceability of using general permits to satisfy the requirements of chapter 77.55 RCW as they relate to approvals for hydraulic projects.

Provides that, under the pilot project, the department of fish and wildlife may only develop general permits for activities determined by the department to be common and routine and to have a low level of environmental impact. The general permits must be designed to improve the predictability and efficiency of the hydraulic project approval program, while still containing provisions necessary to protect aquatic life.

Declares that compliance with the terms of these general permits by the project applicant is considered to be approval under chapter 77.55 RCW for a hydraulic project.

Declares that any violation of the terms or requirements of a general permit may be punished as a natural resource infraction under chapter 7.84 RCW or as a gross misdemeanor under RCW 77.15.300.

Declares that authority to conduct the pilot project authorized by this act ends December 31, 2008, on which date the department of fish and wildlife must report to the appropriate committees of the legislature either why they decided not to conduct a pilot project, or what outcomes, suggestions, and lessons arose from the pilot project.

Provides that, if any person or government agency fails to follow the requirements of obtaining hydraulic project approval under chapter 77.55 RCW, or fails to carry out any of the requirements or conditions of a hydraulic project approval issued under this chapter, the department may issue an order to that person or government agency. The order may require the person or government agency to stop work on any or all of the activities subject to the hydraulic project approval, to correct or to restore the nonconforming site, or to both stop work and to correct or to restore the nonconforming site.

Repeals RCW 77.55.140.