SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 6287

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

    Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation, January 26, 2000

Title:  An act relating to dredge spoils.

Brief Description:  Allowing for the disposal of Mt. St. Helen's dredge spoils from public or private lands.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder and Zarelli.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  1/24/2000, 1/26/2000 [DP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; T. Sheldon, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Morton, Oke, Rossi, Snyder, Spanel and Stevens.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  When Mount Saint Helens erupted in 1980, sediments flowing down the Cowlitz and Toutle Rivers were collected and deposited on both public and private lands in order to keep the river from flooding and to provide for fish passage.  In 1999, Cowlitz County was given authority to sell the dredge spoils from lands, and use the proceeds for maintenance of the lands, and for public recreation in Cowlitz County.  Materials dredged from state waters are under the jurisdiction of the Department of Natural Resources and the department is given the authority to collect a royalty when those materials are sold.  In the case of the dredge spoils from Mount Saint Helens, an exception can be provided since there is an extensive amount of spoils and they serve no purpose.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature provides that deposited material from the Toutle, the Coweeman, and portions of the Cowlitz River due to the eruption of Mount Saint Helens can be sold without the state collecting a royalty.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This creates a consistent policy for dredge spoil disposal for both public and private lands.  The income from sales are used for public purposes recreation and maintenance of the sites.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jeff Rassmussen, Cowlitz County Commissioner (pro); Paul Silver, Department of Natural Resources (neutral).