(1) During calendar years 2007 and 2008 the salmon recovery funding board shall cooperate with the department of veterans affairs to inform salmon habitat project sponsors of the availability of veterans conservation corps enrollees to perform project work. From applications submitted, the board and the department shall identify projects that propose work suitable for corps enrollees and located near where enrollees are based or may be created. The department may provide the project applicants with information regarding the benefits of employing a veterans conservation corps enrollee in the project, including funding that the department may make available to assist with the project. Such funding shall be considered by the salmon recovery funding board as matched funding in evaluating the project for salmon recovery funding board funding.

     (2) As an element of the report required under RCW 43.60A.151(3), the salmon recovery funding board and the department shall jointly report to the governor and the appropriate committees of the senate and house of representatives regarding projects funded during the 2007 and 2008 grant cycles that employ veterans conservation corps enrollees. The report shall include recommendations for increasing the use of veterans conservation corps enrollees in salmon habitat projects that receive funding from the salmon recovery funding board.

[2007 c 451 § 8.]