RESEARCH AND REVIEW PROCESS

a) The Coordinating Committee and the Board of County Commissioners will oversee the implementation of the research and review process.

b) When an agency, citizen or group of citizens believes that a condition has caused or threatens to cause disruption to the balance of the ecological systems upon which human and all life depends in Walla Walla County, a request should be made to the Coordinating Committee to initiate the research and review process with regard to such condition. If an agency, citizen or group of citizens believes that a species is declining, even though the cause for the decline is unknown, a request should be made to the Coordinating Committee to initiate the process identified in this Part of the County Land Use Plan. Any member of the Coordinating Committee may request that the process be initiated, whether or not a request has been made by an agency or other citizen.

c) The Coordinating Committee will review the request, and may invite the requesting agency, person or group to meet with the committee to discuss the request. During this initial review, the Coordinating Committee shall request information form state and federal agencies and interested citizens as to the species identified in the request. Thus, the Coordinating committee can take advantage of existing data and analysis regarding the species identified in the request The Coordinating committee shall coordinate its review with state and federal agencies and interested citizens and citizen organizations.

d) When the Coordinating Committee determines the nature of the condition, the potential impact on the ecological system which is or may become imminent, the courses of research necessary to fully study the condition, and the resources necessary to implement research and review, a report shall be submitted to the Coordinating Committee. The Coordinating Committee shall coordinate its review of the report with the Board of County Commissioners, state and federal agencies and with interested citizens and citizen organizations. After consultation with the Board of County Commissioners, the Board will then decide whether further research and review is necessary or desirable, and either direct the Coordinating Committee to implement full research and review or to close its file.

e) If the Board of County Commissioners directs further action, the Board will notify, in writing, all federal agencies exercising land management activities in Walla Walla County, all federal agencies with responsibility under the Endangered Species Act, all federal agencies exercising land management planning activities in Washington, all state agencies exercising land or water management activities in Walla Walla County, all conservation groups and groups of citizens interested in the multiple uses of the federally managed lands in Walla Walla County of the county's initiation of the research and review process. An initial informational meeting will be included in the written notice.

f) The Coordinating Committee will then conduct meetings, coordinate research efforts and review the condition, the problems presented to the ecological system, the necessity of corrective a action or actions, the alternative corrective action or actions which are possible, the impact of each of such alternatives on the balance in the ecological system, means of financing the alternatives and expected results of the alternatives.

g) If at any time during this process, the Board of County Commissioners believes that a Memorandum of Understanding is desirable, it shall make such recommendation to the Coordinating Committee. A Memorandum of Understanding shall be prepared to establish so citizens groups can work cooperatively and coordinately in planning for the maintenance of or re-establishment of the balance in the ecological system. The pattern for such Memorandum of Understanding may be that which was developed for the Goose Lake Fishes Working Group and applicable to the protection of the native fishes of the Goose Lake Basin in California and Oregon. That working group includes the United State Departments of Interior (both BLM and Fish and Wildlife Service) and Agriculture, State water land and wildlife agencies from California and Oregon, the Counties in the Basin, and organizations such as California Trout, Inc., Desert Fishes Council, Oregon Trout, Inc., and Trout Unlimited.

h) The Coordinating Committee shall advise the Board of Commissioners of progress in the research and review process on a regular basis. No later than 180 days after the filing of the initial request for research and review a report shall be submitted to the Board of Commissioners regarding the status of the process, with attention being directed to all elements of study set forth above in subparagraphs f and g. If more research and review time is needed, the 180 day report shall be submitted to the Board of Commissioners regarding the reported condition and all elements of study set forth above in subparagraphs f and g.

i) Within 60 days of receipt of the final report, the Board of Commissioners will issue a report and decision based upon the research and review process. That further work is necessary or may continue implementation of the process under stated guidelines for future implementation.

j) All meetings of the Coordinating Committee and Board of Commissioners regarding the research and review process shall be open to the public. The Coordinating Committee may hold public hearings and/or meetings during the process, and the Board of Commissioners shall conduct a public hearing prior to issuing its final report and decision.

k) Throughout the process identified in subsections a through j, the Board of County Commissioners will coordinate activities with state and federal agencies, interested citizens and citizen groups.