BILL REQ. #:  S-1032.1 

Read first time 02/05/13.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.

     AN ACT Relating to certain lake management activities on lands owned by the state of Washington; adding a new section to chapter 35A.21 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   The legislature finds that as a result of excessive internal (sediments) and external loading of nutrients, persistent toxic algae have developed in certain lakes. The legislature further finds that removal of interior bottom sediments is the best management practice to prevent toxic algae blooms and restore lakes to a healthful condition that is suitable for human recreational use and aquatic wildlife habitat. Removal of the problematic bottom sediments is of paramount importance to the health and safety of fish, waterfowl, and terrestrial mammals, including humans. It is the legislature's intent to restore all such lakes to safe and healthy conditions.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 35A.21 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) A code city authorized under this title may take action necessary to remove harmful sediment from the deepest portions of a lake, by partial dewatering and hydraulic dredging, to address toxic algae blooms for any lake located within the boundaries of the code city and entirely on lands belonging to the state of Washington.
     (2) This section applies only to lakes with less than thirty-four acres surface area and a mean depth of ten feet or less. A code city may take action as authorized under this section without the need to seek permission from the appropriate state land management agency.