BILL REQ. #:  H-0155.1 

Read first time 01/10/2007.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a pilot project to examine the impacts of small scale mineral prospecting on coastal areas; creating a new section; providing an expiration date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) Beginning July 1, 2007, the state parks and recreation commission and the department of fish and wildlife shall establish a pilot program to evaluate the impacts of small scale mineral prospecting on ocean beaches. The pilot program must be conducted from July 1, 2007, through July 1, 2009.
     (2) The state parks and recreation commission, in consultation with the department of fish and wildlife, shall establish at least six demonstration areas in appropriate beach areas in the seashore conservation area, which was established for recreational use and enjoyment of the public by RCW 79A.05.605. The demonstration areas must be located between the southern border of Cape Disappointment state park and the southern border of the Quinault Indian reservation, and must allow small scale mineral prospecting for purposes of the pilot program. Each demonstration area must be:
     (a) Located in separate areas along the coast that are not geographically close together;
     (b) Located in an area suitable for small scale prospecting as identified by persons interested in small scale mining and prospecting; and
     (c) Located in areas having minimal potential for damage to the beach ecology and the environment.
     (3) The department of fish and wildlife shall use existing authority under chapter 77.55 RCW to issue hydraulic permits for small scale prospecting within the demonstration areas established under subsection (2) of this section.
     (4) The department of fish and wildlife shall monitor the impacts of the small scale prospecting activities on the beach ecology including, but not limited to, habitat, birds, shellfish, and other beach marine life.
     (5) By October 1, 2009, the department of fish and wildlife shall report its findings and recommendations regarding the impacts of small scale prospecting on the beach ecology to the state parks and recreation commission. The department shall consider public input prior to finalizing their findings and recommendations.
     (6) The state parks and recreation commission and the department of fish and wildlife shall report their findings and recommendations on the impacts of small scale prospecting on ocean beaches to the appropriate committees of the legislature by December 1, 2009.
     (7) This section expires December 1, 2009.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   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.