Extending a program to streamline the environmental permitting process for salmon recovery projects.

 H-0289.1

HOUSE BILL 1208

State of Washington

69th Legislature

2025 Regular Session

By Representatives Tharinger, Ryu, Ramel, Doglio, Nance, Lekanoff, and Hill

Prefiled 01/09/25. Read first time 01/13/25. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.

AN ACT Relating to extending a program to streamline the environmental permitting process for salmon recovery projects; amending RCW 77.55.480 and 43.21C.515 ; creating a new section; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. (1) The legislature finds that in 2021 the legislature created the habitat recovery pilot program to streamline project permitting for habitat restoration projects that have been determined to contribute to the recovery of watersheds throughout the state. The legislature also finds that the pilot project's intent to advance projects to construction as quickly and efficiently as possible has been realized, with projects experiencing time and cost savings by utilizing the streamlined process.

(2) Therefore, the legislature intends to make the pilot program permanent and to improve the streamlined process.