04/25/1994 08:15 AM House RES

  SB 374 - MATERIAL SITES FOR TIMBER OPERATIONS                                
                                                                               
  JERRY GALLAGHER, LEGISLATIVE LIAISON, DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL                  
  RESOURCES (DNR), expressed support for SB 374.  He said                      
  material sites which support timber activities such as                       
  building roads, etc., are regulated under both the Forest                    
  Practices Act (FPA) and the Mine Reclamation Act.  He stated                 
  the Mine Reclamation Act had an exemption for two years.                     
  The intention of the exemption was to have DNR develop                       
  regulations so that it would defer to the FPA regulation of                  
  these sites.  He noted the FPA regulation is more rigorous.                  
                                                                               
  MR. GALLAGHER said DNR did not get the regulations done and                  
  the exemption expires June 30, 1994.  He explained SB 374                    
  gives DNR an extra six months to get the regulations in                      
  place.  He stated the regulations are currently out for                      
  public comment.  He noted the more rigorous FPA standards                    
  still apply.  Without the six months extension, a timber                     
  operator will be required to get an approval both under the                  
  FPA plan and the Mine Reclamation Act, for exactly the same                  
  permit.                                                                      
                                                                               
  REPRESENTATIVE JOHN DAVIES made a MOTION to MOVE SB 374 with                 
  zero fiscal note out of committee with INDIVIDUAL                            
  RECOMMENDATIONS.                                                             
                                                                               
  CHAIRMAN WILLIAMS asked if there were any objections.                        
  Hearing none, the MOTION PASSED.