HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1551

BYRepresentatives Cole, Leonard, Silver and Jacobsen

Adopting the urban and community forestry act.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  (10)

      Signed by Representatives Sutherland, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Basich, Belcher, Cole, Dorn, Haugen, Meyers, Sayan and Spanel.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (7)

      Signed by Representatives Amondson, Beck, Bumgarner, Butterfield, Fuhrman, Schmidt and S. Wilson.

House Staff:Pamela Madson (786-7310)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES FEBRUARY 2, 1988

BACKGROUND:

Urban forestry involves developing, establishing, and maintaining trees and forested landscapes in urban areas.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) receives approximately $35,000 per year in federal funds for urban forestry, all of which is passed directly to local communities as small grants that are matched at the local level.

The DNR has technical expertise that could be used to assist local communities in managing their urban forests.  Street tree programs are an example of urban forest development.  The results of a DNR survey of mayors in over 200 cities and towns indicated that many communities were interested in technical and financial assistance to develop street tree programs and other programs such as program design, pest and disease control, species selection, tree inventories, hazard tree evaluation, and pruning standards.

SUMMARY:

SUBSTITUTE BILL:  The DNR may establish an urban and community forestry program that provides technical assistance to governmental entities in the state.  The Department may encourage the use of resources, both public and private, in carrying out the purpose of the Urban and Community Forestry Act.

SUBSTITUTE BILL COMPARED TO ORIGINAL:  The Urban and Community Forestry Program provides technical assistance to governmental entities and not private individuals.  The appropriation of $98,900 is deleted.  The Department should seek the cooperation of the College of Forest Resources at the University of Washington among others listed in implementing the Urban and Community Forestry Program.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Pat McElroy, Department of Natural Resources; Doug Baker, Association of Washington Cities; John Sonnen, Planning Director, City of Shelton; Holly Gadbow, Mayor of Olympia; and Bob Minnich, Puyallup Centennial Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Local communities need a central clearinghouse of information answering technical questions about urban forestry.  The appropriation allows the DNR to add two staff people to implement this program.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.