S-3902.3
SENATE BILL 6187
State of Washington
69th Legislature
2026 Regular Session
By Senators King, Schoesler, and Short
Read first time 01/16/26. Referred to Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to modifying the implementation of type nonfish bearing stream water buffer rules adopted by the forest practices board; adding a new section to chapter 76.09 RCW; and creating new sections.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The forests and fish law was signed into law in 1999 after a rigorous bipartisan stakeholder process. In 2006, the federal government approved the process as part of the habitat conservation plan. This process has been used for over 20 years to make decisions regarding forest practices to protect streams and habitat. The rule making conducted by the forest practices board regarding nonfish bearing streams subverted the intent of the forests and fish process and will result in devastating economic impacts to the timber industry in Washington state with very little benefit to habitat. Small businesses, particularly, were not considered, in contravention of existing law, and as a result, over 200,000 acres will be removed from productive harvest. The adaptive management process utilized by the forest practices board has resulted in thoughtful, considerate rule making in the past. The rule recently adopted by the forest practices board disregards this process as well.
The legislature, thereby, finds that the rule adopted by the forest practices board should be reconsidered and should not be implemented until all alternatives and impacts are properly considered.