(1) The council shall convene the ecosystem coordination board not later than October 1, 2007.

     (2) The board shall consist of the following:

     (a) One representative from the geographic area of each of the action areas specified in RCW 90.71.260, appointed by the council. The council shall solicit nominations from, at a minimum, counties, cities, and watershed groups;

     (b) Two members representing general business interests, one of whom shall represent in-state general small business interests, both appointed by the council;

     (c) Two members representing environmental interests, appointed by the council;

     (d) Three representatives of tribal governments located in Puget Sound, invited by the governor to participate as members of the board;

     (e) One representative each from counties, cities, and port districts, appointed by the council from nominations submitted by statewide associations representing such local governments;

     (f) Three representatives of state agencies with environmental management responsibilities in Puget Sound, representing the interests of all state agencies, one of whom shall be the commissioner of public lands or his or her designee; and

     (g) Three representatives of federal agencies with environmental management responsibilities in Puget Sound, representing the interests of all federal agencies and invited by the governor to participate as members of the board.

     (3) The president of the senate shall appoint two senators, one from each major caucus, as legislative liaisons to the board. The speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint two representatives, one from each major caucus, as legislative liaisons to the board.

     (4) The board shall elect one of its members as chair, and one of its members as vice-chair.

     (5) The board shall advise and assist the council in carrying out its responsibilities in implementing this chapter, including development and implementation of the action agenda. The board's duties include:

     (a) Assisting cities, counties, ports, tribes, watershed groups, and other governmental and private organizations in the compilation of local programs for consideration for inclusion in the action agenda as provided in RCW 90.71.260;

     (b) Upon request of the council, reviewing and making recommendations regarding activities, projects, and programs proposed for inclusion in the action agenda, including assessing existing ecosystem scale management, restoration and protection plan elements, activities, projects, and programs for inclusion in the action agenda;

     (c) Seeking public and private funding and the commitment of other resources for plan implementation;

     (d) Assisting the council in conducting public education activities regarding threats to Puget Sound and about local implementation strategies to support the action agenda; and

     (e) Recruiting the active involvement of and encouraging the collaboration and communication among governmental and nongovernmental entities, the private sector, and citizens working to achieve the recovery of Puget Sound.

     (6) Members of the board, except for federal and state employees, shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060.

[2007 c 341 § 7.]