6466-S

AN ACT Relating to environmental processes for the department of transportation; amending RCW 47.01.290 and 47.06.040; and adding a new section to chapter 47.01 RCW.

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

Sec. 1. RCW 47.01.290 and 1993 c 55 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:

((The state-interest component of the state-wide transportation plan must include a state public transportation plan that recognizes that while public transportation service is essentially a local responsibility in Washington, there is significant state interest in assuring that viable public transportation services are available throughout the state. The public transportation plan shall:

~~(1) Articulate the state vision of and interest in public transportation and provide quantifiable objectives, including benefits indicators;~~

~~(2) Identify the goals for public transportation and the roles of federal, state, regional, and local entities in achieving those goals;~~

~~(3) Recommend mechanisms for coordinating federal, state, regional, and local planning for public transportation;~~

~~(4) Recommend mechanisms for coordinating public transportation with other transportation services and modes;~~

(5) Recommend criteria, consistent with the goals identified in subsection (2) of this section and with RCW 82.44.180 (2) and (3), for existing federal authorizations administered by the department to transit agencies; and

~~(6) Recommend a state-wide public transportation facilities and equipment management system as required by federal law.~~

In developing the state public transportation plan, the department shall involve local jurisdictions, public and private providers of public transportation services, nonmotorized interests, and state agencies with an interest in public transportation, including but not limited to the departments of community development, social and health services, and ecology, the state energy office, the office of financial management, and the office of the governor.

~~The department shall submit an initial report to the legislative transportation committee by December 1, 1993, and shall provide annual reports summarizing the plan's progress each year thereafter.~~)) The legislature recognizes that environmental review of transportation projects is a continuous process that should begin at the earliest stages of planning and continue through final project construction. Early and extensive involvement of the relevant environmental regulatory authorities is critical in order to avoid significant changes in substantially completed project design and engineering. It is the expectation of the legislature that if a comprehensive environmental approach is integrated throughout various transportation processes, onerous, duplicative, and time-consuming permit processes will be minimized.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 47.01 RCW to read as follows:

The department shall, in cooperation with environmental regulatory authorities:

(1) Identify and document environmental resources in the development of the state-wide multimodal plan under RCW 47.06.040;

(2) Allow for public comment regarding changes to the criteria used for prioritizing projects under chapter 47.05 RCW before final adoption of the changes by the commission;

(3) Use an environmental review as part of the project prospectus identifying potential environmental impacts, mitigation, and costs during the early project identification and selection phase, submit the prospectus to the relevant environmental regulatory authorities, and maintain a record of comments and proposed revisions received from the authorities;

(4) Actively work with the relevant environmental regulatory authorities during the design alternative analysis process and seek written concurrence from the authorities that they agree with the preferred design alternative selected;

(5) Develop a uniform methodology, in consultation with relevant environmental regulatory authorities, for submitting plans and specifications detailing project elements that impact environmental resources, and proposed mitigation measures, to the relevant environmental regulatory authorities during the preliminary specifications and engineering phase of project development;

(6) Screen construction projects to determine which projects will require complex or multiple permits. The permitting authorities shall develop methods for initiating review of the permit applications for the projects before the final design of the projects;

(7) Conduct special prebid meetings for those projects that are environmentally complex; and

(8) Review environmental considerations related to particular projects during the preconstruction meeting held with the contractor who is awarded the bid.

Sec. 3. RCW 47.06.040 and 1993 c 446 s 4 are each amended to read as follows:

The department shall develop a state-wide multimodal transportation plan under RCW 47.01.071(3) and in conformance with federal requirements, to ensure the continued mobility of people and goods within regions and across the state in a safe, cost-effective manner. The state-wide multimodal transportation plan shall consist of:

(1) A state-owned facilities component, which shall guide state investment for state highways including bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and state ferries; and

(2) A state-interest component, which shall define the state interest in aviation, marine ports and navigation, freight rail, intercity passenger rail, bicycle transportation and pedestrian walkways, and public transportation, and recommend actions in coordination with appropriate public and private transportation providers to ensure that the state interest in these transportation modes is met.

The plans developed under each component must be consistent with the state transportation policy plan and with each other, reflect public involvement, be consistent with regional transportation planning, high-capacity transportation planning, and local comprehensive plans prepared under chapter 36.70A RCW, and include analysis of intermodal connections and choices. A primary emphasis for these plans shall be the improvement and integration of all transportation modes to create a seamless intermodal transportation system for people and goods.

In the development of the state-wide multimodal transportation plan, the department shall identify and document potential affected environmental resources, including, but not limited to, wetlands, storm water runoff, flooding, air quality, fish passage, and wildlife habitat. The department shall conduct its environmental identification and documentation in coordination with all relevant environmental regulatory authorities, including, but not limited to, local governments. The department shall give the relevant environmental regulatory authorities an opportunity to review the department's environmental plans. The relevant environmental regulatory authorities shall provide comments on the department's environmental plans in a timely manner. Environmental identification and documentation as provided for in section 2 of this act and this section is not intended to require an environmental impact statement as provided in chapter 43.21C RCW.