(1) The board shall adopt a technical review and evaluation process to guide it in allocating funds to and among applicants. The board's technical review and evaluation process for applications and habitat project lists shall:

(a) Be developed, to a reasonable extent, through the participation of interested parties and specialists, and include best available science;

(b) Consider regional recovery plans goals, objectives, and strategies;

(c) Be adopted by the board in open public meetings;

(d) Be made available in published form to interested parties;

(e) Be designed for use by an independent state technical review panel or team of evaluators with relevant expertise when selected for this purpose; and

(f) Be in accord with RCW 77.85.130, 77.85.135, and 77.85.240 and other applicable statutes.

(2) The office shall administer the technical review and evaluation process adopted by the board and prepare funding options or recommendations for the director to present for the board's consideration.

(3) The office shall inform all applicants of the application requirements and the technical review and evaluation process. All grant requests must be completed and submitted to the office in the format prescribed by the director.

If the director determines that the applicant is eligible to apply for federal funds administered by the board, the applicant must execute any additional forms necessary for that purpose.

(4) All applications for funding submitted to the office that meet the application requirements will be referred to the director for review and recommendations. In reaching a recommendation, the director shall seek the advice and counsel of the office's staff and other recognized experts, including an independent state technical review panel or team of evaluators or from other parties with relevant experience.