Washington SB 6187: Modifying the implementation of type nonfish bearing stream water buffer rules adopted by the forest practices board.

Bill Text

AN ACT Relating to modifying the implementation of type nonfish 1
bearing stream water buffer rules adopted by the forest practices 2
board; adding a new section to chapter 76.09 RCW; and creating new 3
sections.4
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:5
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The forests and fish law was signed into 6
law in 1999 after a rigorous bipartisan stakeholder process. In 2006, 7
the federal government approved the process as part of the habitat 8
conservation plan. This process has been used for over 20 years to 9
make decisions regarding forest practices to protect streams and 10
habitat. The rule making conducted by the forest practices board 11
regarding nonfish bearing streams subverted the intent of the forests 12
and fish process and will result in devastating economic impacts to 13
the timber industry in Washington state with very little benefit to 14
habitat. Small businesses, particularly, were not considered, in 15
contravention of existing law, and as a result, over 200,000 acres 16
will be removed from productive harvest. The adaptive management 17
process utilized by the forest practices board has resulted in 18
thoughtful, considerate rule making in the past. The rule recently 19
adopted by the forest practices board disregards this process as 20
well.21
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.
p. 1 SB 6187

The legislature, thereby, finds that the rule adopted by the 1
forest practices board should be reconsidered and should not be 2
implemented until all alternatives and impacts are properly 3
considered.4
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. The forest practices board shall repeal 5
changes adopted on November 12, 2025, to WAC 222-30-021 and 6
222-30-0211, and is preempted from adopting any similar rules as 7
provided under section 3 of this act.8
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 76.09 9
RCW to read as follows:10
The board may not adopt a rule requiring modifications to stream 11
type buffers until an analysis of the minority proposal or additional 12
viable alternative proposals are evaluated and a consensus 13
recommendation is developed that considers economic impacts and 14
impacts to small forest landowners.15
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p. 2 SB 6187