In providing grants and loans to local governments, the department shall require recipients to incorporate the environmental benefits of the project into their applications, and the department shall utilize the statement of environmental benefits in its grant and loan prioritization and selection process. The department shall also develop appropriate outcome-focused performance measures to be used both for management and performance assessment of the grant and loan program. To the extent possible, the department should coordinate its performance measure system with other natural resource-related agencies as defined in RCW 43.41.270. The department shall consult with affected interest groups in implementing this section.

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