BILL REQ. #:  H-1490.1 

Read first time 01/31/2007.   Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

     AN ACT Relating to the wild horse coordinated resource management plan; creating new sections; and making appropriations.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that the wild horse coordinated resource management plan in Kittitas county was developed in 2006 by a group of diverse local citizens interested in coordinating the management of resources for the Skookumchuck and Whiskey Dick wildlife areas, which encompasses approximately sixty-two thousand acres in eastern Kittitas county. The diverse planning process brought together ranchers, local landowners, a large energy company, the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, several environmental groups, and the federal government to collaboratively plan to improve the management in the wild horse coordinated resource management plan area.
     (2) The legislature further finds that coordinated management is of the utmost importance due to the fragmented ownership pattern and varied management regimes of the past. Coordinated management of the area will allow for the enhancement of wildlife habitat, the rehabilitation of natural springs, the development of water resources, and an improvement in domestic livestock opportunities due to a better distribution of forage plants growing in the area.
     (3) The legislature further finds that planned livestock grazing in the wild horse coordinated resource management plan area will benefit fish habitat, upland birds, song birds, reptiles, and wild mammals, while preventing the invasion of noxious plants.
     (4) The legislature further finds that the investment in implementing the wild horse coordinated resource management plan will benefit the twelve thousand head Colockum elk herd located in the area and reduce the depredation of local crops and forages caused by elk in the area due to a current lack of high quality forage available on public lands.
     (5) The legislature further finds that implementation of the wild horse coordinated resource management plan will also have benefits to public recreation, such as sustained hunting, maintenance of shrub-steppe wildlife habitat, reduction in fire incidences, and the addition of public recreation dollars to the local economy.
     (6) The legislature further finds that the collaborative process giving rise to the wild horse coordinated resource management plan will, if implemented, result in improved resource conditions, assist local citizens in meeting their objectives, and minimize conflict among land users, landowners, governmental agencies, and interest groups.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   The department of fish and wildlife and the department of natural resources shall utilize the funding made available specifically for this act to assist with the implementation of the wild horse coordinated resource management plan. Implementation includes taking those on-the-ground actions that are required of the two agencies under the wild horse coordinated resource management plan, and providing grant funding to other state and nonstate agencies as required for the full implementation of the wild horse coordinated resource management plan.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   (1) The sum of two hundred forty-five thousand two hundred sixty-four dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2008, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.
     (2) The sum of two hundred forty-five thousand two hundred sixty-four dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, from the general fund to the department of fish and wildlife for the purposes of this act.