(1) The Washington veterans conservation corps is created. The department shall establish enrollment procedures for the program. Enrollees may choose to participate in either or both the volunteer projects list authorized in subsection (2) of this section, and the training, certification, ecotherapy, and placement program authorized in RCW 43.60A.151.

(2) The department shall create a list of veterans who are interested in working on projects that restore Washington’s natural habitat. The department shall promote the opportunity to volunteer for the veterans conservation corps through its local counselors and representatives. Only veterans who grant their approval may be included on the list. The department shall consult with the salmon recovery board, the recreation and conservation funding board, the department of natural resources, the department of fish and wildlife, the department of agriculture, conservation districts, and the state parks and recreation commission to determine the most effective ways to market the veterans conservation corps to agencies and natural resource partners.

Intent—Effective date—2007 c 241: See notes following RCW 79A.25.005.

Findings—Purpose—2005 c 257: “The legislature finds that many Washington citizens are veterans of armed forces conflicts that have important skills that may be employed in projects that help to protect and restore Washington’s rivers, streams, lakes, marine waters, and open lands, and help to maintain urban and suburban wastewater and stormwater management systems. The legislature further finds that such work has demonstrated benefits for many veterans who are coping with posttraumatic stress disorder or have other mental health or substance abuse disorders related to their service in the armed forces. The legislature further finds that these projects provide an opportunity for veterans to obtain on-the-job training, leading to certification in specific skill sets and to living wage employment in environmental restoration and stewardship. Therefore, it is the purpose of this chapter to create the veterans conservation corps program to assist veterans in obtaining training, certification, and employment in the field of environmental restoration and management, and to provide state funding assistance for projects that restore Washington’s waters, forests, and habitat through the participation of veterans.” [ 2007 c 451 § 1; 2005 c 257 § 1.]