(1) The management program for the system shall be administered by the commission. The commission shall have the responsibility for coordinating the development of the program between affected state agencies and participating local governments, and shall develop and adopt rules, in accord with chapter 34.05 RCW, the Administrative Procedure Act, for each portion of the system, which shall implement the management policies. In developing rules for a specific river in the system, the commission shall hold at least one public hearing in the general locale of the river under consideration. The hearing may constitute the hearing required by chapter 34.05 RCW. The commission shall cause a brief summary of the proposed rules to be published twice in a newspaper of general circulation in the area that includes the river to be considered in the period of time between two and four weeks prior to the public hearing. In addition to the foregoing required publication, the commission shall also provide notice of the hearings, rules, and decisions of the commission to radio and television stations and major local newspapers in the areas that include the river to be considered.

(2) In addition to any other powers granted to carry out the intent of this chapter, the commission is authorized to: (a) Purchase, within the river area, real property in fee or any lesser right or interest in real property including, but not limited to scenic easements and future development rights, visual corridors, wildlife habitats, unique ecological areas, historical sites, camping and picnic areas, boat launching sites, and/or easements abutting the river for the purpose of preserving or enhancing the river or facilitating the use of the river by the public for fishing, boating and other water related activities; and (b) purchase, outside of a river area, public access to the river area.

The right of eminent domain shall not be utilized in any purchase made pursuant to this section.

(3) The commission is further authorized to: (a) Acquire by gift, devise, grant, or dedication the fee, an option to purchase, a right of first refusal or any other lesser right or interest in real property and upon acquisition such real property shall be held and managed within the scenic river system; and (b) accept grants, contributions, or funds from any agency, public or private, or individual for the purposes of this chapter.

(4) The commission is hereby vested with the power to obtain injunctions and other appropriate relief against violations of any provisions of this chapter and any rules adopted under this section or agreements made under the provisions of this chapter.

Reviser’s note: This section was amended by 1999 c 151 § 1703 and by 1999 c 249 § 803, each without reference to the other. Both amendments are incorporated in the publication of this section under RCW 1.12.025(2). For rule of construction, see RCW 1.12.025(1).

Severability—1999 c 249: See note following RCW 79A.05.010.

Part headings not law—Effective date—1999 c 151: See notes following RCW 18.28.010.

Effective date—1989 c 175: See note following RCW 34.05.010.