RCW 90.48.400: Coastal protection fund—Disbursal of moneys from.

(1) Moneys in the coastal protection fund shall be disbursed for the following purposes and no others:

(a) Environmental restoration and enhancement projects intended to restore or enhance environmental, recreational, archaeological, or aesthetic resources for the benefit of Washington's citizens;

(b) Investigations of the long-term effects of oil spills; and

(c) Development and implementation of an aquatic land geographic information system.

(2) The director may allocate a portion of the fund to be devoted to research and development in the causes, effects, and removal of pollution caused by the discharge of oil or other hazardous substances.

(3) A steering committee consisting of representatives of the departments of ecology, fish and wildlife, and natural resources, and the parks and recreation commission shall authorize the expenditure of the moneys collected under RCW 90.48.366 through 90.48.368, after consulting impacted local agencies and local and tribal governments.

(4) Agencies may not be reimbursed from the coastal protection fund for the salaries and benefits of permanent employees for routine operational support. Agencies may only be reimbursed under this section if money for reconnaissance and damage assessment activities is unavailable from other sources.