(1) In administering grant programs to improve water quality and protect habitat, the commission shall:

     (a) Require grant recipients to incorporate the environmental benefits of the project into their grant applications;

     (b) In its grant prioritization and selection process, consider:

     (i) The statement of environmental benefits;

     (ii) Whether, except as conditioned by RCW 89.08.580, the applicant is a Puget Sound partner, as defined in RCW 90.71.010, and except as otherwise provided in RCW 89.08.590, and effective one calendar year following the development and statewide availability of model evergreen community management plans and ordinances under RCW 35.105.050, whether the applicant is an entity that has been recognized, and what gradation of recognition was received, in the evergreen community recognition program created in RCW 35.105.030; and

     (iii) Whether the project is referenced in the action agenda developed by the Puget Sound partnership under RCW 90.71.310; and

     (c) Not provide funding, after January 1, 2010, for projects designed to address the restoration of Puget Sound that are in conflict with the action agenda developed by the Puget Sound partnership under RCW 90.71.310.

     (2)(a) The commission shall also develop appropriate outcome-focused performance measures to be used both for management and performance assessment of the grant program.

     (b) The commission shall work with the districts to develop uniform performance measures across participating districts and, to the extent possible, the commission should coordinate its performance measure system with other natural resource-related agencies as defined in RCW 43.41.270. The commission shall consult with affected interest groups in implementing this section.

[2008 c 299 § 27; 2007 c 341 § 28; 2001 c 227 § 3.]

NOTES:

     Short title -- 2008 c 299: See note following RCW 35.105.010.

     Severability -- Effective date -- 2007 c 341: See RCW 90.71.906 and 90.71.907.

     Findings -- Intent -- 2001 c 227: See note following RCW 43.41.270.