(1) The legislature finds that a livestock nutrient management program is essential to protecting the quality of the waters of the state and ensuring a healthy and productive livestock industry.

(2) The departments of agriculture and ecology shall examine their current statutory authorities and provide the legislature with recommendations for statutory changes to fully implement a livestock nutrient management program within the department of agriculture for concentrated animal feeding operations, animal feeding operations, and dairies, as authorized in RCW 90.48.260, * 90.64.813, and 90.64.901. In developing recommended statutory changes, the departments shall consult with the livestock nutrient management program development and oversight committee created in *RCW 90.64.813. The recommendations must be submitted to the legislature by the departments of agriculture and ecology prior to applying to the environmental protection agency for delegated authority to administer the CAFO portion of the national pollutant discharge elimination system permit program under the federal clean water act.

(3) For purposes of chapter 510, Laws of 2005, animal feeding operations (AFOs) and concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) have the same meaning as defined in 40 C.F.R. 122.23.

(4) This section applies to all operations that meet the definition of an AFO. This section does not apply to true pasture and rangeland operations that do not meet the definition of AFO, however, such operations may have confinement areas that may qualify as an AFO.

*Reviser's note: RCW 90.64.813 expired June 30, 2006.