FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 5784

C 250 L 11

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Advancing the regional ocean partnership.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Marine Waters (originally sponsored by Senators Litzow, Ranker, Swecker, Hobbs, Fain, Hill, Pridemore, Nelson, Rockefeller, Regala, Shin and Kline).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Marine Waters

House Committee on Environment

Background: West Coast Governors' Agreement on Ocean Health (WCGA). On September 18, 2006, the Governors of California, Oregon, and Washington entered into the WCGA. The WCGA cites a need to improve coordination among coastal governing bodies, and states a desire to advance the following goals:

• clean coastal waters and beaches;

• promote effective ecosystem based management;

• reduce impacts of offshore development;

• increase ocean awareness and literacy among the region's citizens;

• expand ocean and coastal scientific information, research, and monitoring; and

• encourage sustainable economic development of coastal communities.

Marine Resources Stewardship Trust Account (Account). The Account was created in 2010 as an appropriated account that can accept grants, gifts, donations, and appropriations. Monies in the Account may be used for purposes including marine management planning, marine spatial planning, research, monitoring, and the restoration and enhancement of marine habitat or resources.

Summary: Makes a Series of Findings and Statements Regarding Ocean and Coastal Resource Management. The Legislature:

• finds that Washington, Oregon, and California have a common interest in marine waters management, and that coordination between these states is essential to achieve effective resource management;

• recognizes the WCGA as an important step towards such coordination; and

• cites the potential for federal resources and policy gains resulting from coordination, and calls for continued coordination efforts through the WCGA and the Legislatures.

Provides for Recommendations on Expenditures from the Account. When funds are deposited in the Account, the Governor must recommend to the Legislature prior to the next regular legislative session activities and projects to be funded from the Account. The recommendations must be consistent with the allowable uses of the account and the goals articulated in the 2006 WCGA.

Votes on Final Passage: