# RCW 77.85.050: RCW 77.85.050: Habitat project lists

> Washington · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S050

## Section

- **Citation:** RCW 77.85.050
- **Heading:** RCW 77.85.050: Habitat project lists
- **Jurisdiction:** Washington
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Washington Code / Title 77 / Chapter 85 / Section 050

## Text

(1)(a) Counties, cities, and tribal governments must jointly designate, by resolution or by letters of support, the area for which a habitat project list is to be developed and the lead entity that is to be responsible for submitting the habitat project list. No project included on a habitat project list shall be considered mandatory in nature and no private landowner may be forced or coerced into participation in any respect. The lead entity may be a county, city, conservation district, special district, tribal government, regional recovery organization, or other entity. (b) The lead entity shall establish a committee that consists of representative interests of counties, cities, conservation districts, tribes, environmental groups, business interests, landowners, citizens, volunteer groups, regional fish enhancement groups, and other habitat interests. The purpose of the committee is to provide a citizen-based evaluation of the projects proposed to promote salmon habitat. (c) The committee shall compile a list of habitat projects, establish priorities for individual projects, define the sequence for project implementation, and submit these activities as the habitat project list. The committee shall also identify potential federal, state, local, and private funding sources. (2) The area covered by the habitat project list must be based, at a minimum, on a WRIA, combination of WRIAs, or any other area as agreed to by the counties, cities, and tribes in resolutions or in letters of support meeting the requirements of this subsection. Preference will be given to projects in an area that contain a salmon species that is listed or proposed for listing under the federal endangered species act. (3) The lead entity shall submit the habitat project list to the salmon recovery funding board in accordance with procedures adopted by the board. (4) The recreation and conservation office shall administer funding to support the functions of lead entities. (5) Except as provided in subsection (6) of this section, a landowner whose land is used for a habitat project that is included on a habitat project list, and who has received notice from the project sponsor that the conditions of this section have been met, or a regional fisheries enhancement group authorized under RCW 77.95.060 performing habitat restoration activities under this chapter, may not be held civilly liable for any property damages resulting from the habitat project regardless of whether or not the project was funded by the salmon recovery funding board. This subsection is subject to the following conditions: (a) The project was designed by a licensed professional engineer (PE) or a licensed geologist (LG, LEG, or LHG) with experience in riverine restoration; (b) The project is designed to withstand 100 year floods; (c) The project is not located within one-quarter mile of an established downstream boat launch; (d) The project is designed to allow adequate response time for in-river boaters to safely evade in-stream structures; and (e) If the project includes large wood placement, each individual root wad and each log larger than ten feet long and one foot in diameter must be visibly tagged with a unique numerical identifier that will withstand typical river conditions for at least three years. (6) A regional fisheries enhancement group performing habitat restoration activities under this chapter may not be held civilly liable for any property damage resulting from a habitat project performed subject to the conditions specified under subsection (5) of this section unless the damage is due to acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or willful or wanton misconduct.

## Nearby sections

- [RCW 77.85.005 RCW 77.85.005: Findings—Intent.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S005.md)
- [RCW 77.85.010 RCW 77.85.010: Definitions.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S010.md)
- [RCW 77.85.020 RCW 77.85.020: Consolidated report on salmon recovery and watershed health.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S020.md)
- [RCW 77.85.030 RCW 77.85.030: Governor's salmon recovery office—Purpose and duties.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S030.md)
- [RCW 77.85.040 RCW 77.85.040: Independent science panel on salmon recovery—Purpose.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S040.md)
- [RCW 77.85.050 RCW 77.85.050: Habitat project lists.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S050.md)
- [RCW 77.85.060 RCW 77.85.060: Critical pathways methodology—Habitat work schedule.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S060.md)
- [RCW 77.85.080 RCW 77.85.080: Sea grant program—Technical assistance authorized.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S080.md)
- [RCW 77.85.090 RCW 77.85.090: Southwest Washington salmon recovery region—Created—Recognition as a regional recovery organization—Puget Sound salmon recovery organizations.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S090.md)
- [RCW 77.85.110 RCW 77.85.110: Salmon recovery funding board—Creation—Membership.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S110.md)
- [RCW 77.85.120 RCW 77.85.120: Board responsibilities—Grants and loans administration assistance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S120.md)
- [RCW 77.85.130 RCW 77.85.130: Allocation of funds—Procedures and criteria.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S130.md)
- [RCW 77.85.135 RCW 77.85.135: Habitat project funding—Statement of environmental benefits—Development of outcome-focused performance measures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S135.md)
- [RCW 77.85.140 RCW 77.85.140: Habitat project lists—Tracking of funds.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S140.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_WA_T77_C85_S050. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.