BP BHEAD INT H

AN ACT Relating to fossil collection on state lands; amending RCW 79.01.651; adding a new section to chapter 43.51 RCW; and adding a new section to chapter 77.32 RCW.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

Sec. 1. RCW 79.01.651 and 1987 c 20 s 15 are each amended to read as follows:

The department may issue permits for recreational mineral prospecting in designated areas containing noneconomic mineral deposits. The term of a permit shall not exceed one year. Designated areas, equipment allowed, methods of prospecting, as well as other appropriate permit conditions, shall be set in rules adopted by the department. Fees shall be set by the board of natural resources.

The department shall administer paleontological resources in areas managed by the department in consultation with paleontologists at the state museum of natural history to ensure the protection of rare fossil resources and their continued availability for enjoyment and research. The department may issue permits for fossil collection in designated areas managed by the department. It is unlawful to collect fossils in designated lands managed by the department without a valid permit. In designing a permit system, the department shall distinguish between the categories of recreational, scientific, and commercial fossil collecting. Based on advice by paleontologists regarding the scientific value and vulnerability of specific fossil resources, the department may restrict fossil collecting in a designated area to one or more of these three categories. Permits shall be designed to be simple, and the permit process shall not impede the legitimate interests of collectors. Designated areas, equipment allowed, collection methods, and other appropriate permit conditions shall be described in rules set forth by the department. The term of a permit shall not exceed one year. Permit fees shall be set by the board of natural resources. In setting fees, the board shall distinguish between fossil collection for recreational, scientific, and commercial purposes. Fees charged to commercial fossil collectors shall be higher than fees charged to recreational or scientific fossil collectors and shall reflect the loss of nonrenewable resources. Fees charged to recreational and scientific fossil collectors shall be low enough to encourage the study of Washington state fossils by amateur and professional paleontologists. Recreational and scientific fossil collectors are urged to designate the state museum of natural history or another appropriate museum or scientific institution in the state as ultimate repository for unique, rare, and scientifically significant fossils collected on state lands. To ensure consistency in the fossil collection programs for lands managed by the state, the department and the board of natural resources shall work with the state parks and recreation commission and the department of fish and wildlife, and in consultation with paleontologists at the state museum of natural history and the Northwest paleontological society, in setting fees and adopting rules for fossil collection permits.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 43.51 RCW to read as follows:

The state parks and recreation commission shall administer paleontological resources in areas managed by the commission in consultation with paleontologists at the state museum of natural history to ensure the protection of rare fossil resources and their continuing availability for enjoyment and research. The commission may issue permits for fossil collection in designated areas managed by the commission. It is unlawful to collect fossils in designated lands managed by the commission without a valid permit. In designing a permit system, the commission shall distinguish between the categories of recreational, scientific, and commercial fossil collecting. Based on advice by paleontologists regarding the scientific value and vulnerability of specific fossil resources, the commission may restrict fossil collecting in a designated area to one or more of these three categories. Permits shall be designed to be simple, and the permit process shall not impede the legitimate interests of collectors. Designated areas, equipment allowed, collection methods, and other appropriate permit conditions shall be described in rules set forth by the commission. The term of a permit shall not exceed one year. Permit fees shall be set by the commission. In setting fees, the commission shall distinguish between fossil collection for recreational, scientific, and commercial purposes. Fees charged to commercial fossil collectors shall be higher than fees charged to recreational or scientific fossil collectors and shall reflect the loss of nonrenewable resources. Fees charged to recreational and scientific fossil collectors shall be low enough to encourage the study of Washington state fossils by amateur and professional paleontologists. Recreational and scientific fossil collectors are urged to designate the state museum of natural history or another appropriate museum or scientific institution in the state as ultimate repository for unique, rare, and scientifically significant fossils collected on state lands. To ensure consistency in the fossil collection programs for lands managed by the state, the commission shall work with the department of natural resources and the department of fish and wildlife, and in consultation with paleontologists at the state museum of natural history and the Northwest paleontological society, in setting fees and adopting rules for fossil collection permits.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to chapter 77.32 RCW to read as follows:

The director of the department of fish and wildlife shall administer paleontological resources in areas managed by the department in consultation with paleontologists at the state museum of natural history to ensure the protection of rare fossil resources and their continuing availability for enjoyment and research. The director may issue permits for fossil collection in designated areas managed by the department. It is unlawful to collect fossils in designated lands managed by the department without a valid permit. In designing a permit system, the director shall distinguish between the categories of recreational, scientific, and commercial fossil collecting. Based on advice by paleontologists regarding the scientific value and vulnerability of specific fossil resources, the director may restrict fossil collecting in a designated area to one or more of these three categories. Permits shall be designed to be simple, and the permit process shall not impede the legitimate interests of collectors. Designated areas, equipment allowed, collection methods, and other appropriate permit conditions shall be described in rules set forth by the director. The term of a permit shall not exceed one year. Permit fees shall be set by the director. In setting fees, the director shall distinguish between fossil collection for recreational, scientific, and commercial purposes. Fees charged to commercial fossil collectors shall be higher than fees charged to recreational or scientific fossil collectors and shall reflect the loss of nonrenewable resources. Fees charged to recreational and scientific fossil collectors shall be low enough to encourage the study of Washington state fossils by amateur and professional paleontologists. Recreational and scientific fossil collectors are urged to designate the state museum of natural history or another appropriate museum or scientific institution in the state as ultimate repository for unique, rare, and scientifically significant fossils collected on state lands. To ensure consistency in the fossil collection programs for lands managed by the state, the director shall work with the department of natural resources and the state parks and recreation commission, and in consultation with paleontologists at the state museum of natural history and the Northwest paleontological society, in setting fees and adopting rules for fossil collection permits.