The department shall hold a public hearing in the county where the majority of the land in the proposed natural resources conservation area is located prior to establishing the boundary. An area proposed for designation must contain resources consistent with characteristics identified in RCW 79.71.020. During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, this section does not apply to section 3034, chapter 375, Laws of 2024.

Effective date—2024 c 375: See note following RCW 70A.65.305.