FINAL BILL REPORT

SHB 1098

                                  C 274 L 87

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, S. Wilson, Jacobsen and Beck)

Requiring an agreement with the federal government for the exchange of certain tidelands on the Olympic peninsula.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

SYNOPSIS AS ENACTED

BACKGROUND:

Keystone Spit, on Whidbey Island, lies immediately south of the ferry terminal at Keystone near the Fort Casey State Park.  A portion of the privately-owned spit includes 1.3 miles of no-bank waterfront on the western shores of the island.  This property abuts Crockett Lake, a marshy tidal area used by Seattle Pacific University for classroom purposes.

The National Park Service manages the nearby Fort Ebey National Historical Reserve.  It has identified Keystone Spit as fourth out of 18 in importance for acquisition under its "preservation priorities" plan.

Owners of the spit want to sell the property.

In 1967, the legislature created the Seashore Conservation Area (SCA) which includes property along the western part of the Olympic Peninsula.  Management of the SCA is performed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission.  The purpose of the SCA is to preserve the coastline for public outdoor recreation.

SUMMARY:

If the federal government acquires the parcel of land known as the Keystone Spit on Whidbey Island, the Parks and Recreation Commission is required to enter into a land exchange with the federal government.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) currently owns the tidelands proposed for exchange, though the Parks and Recreation Commission manages them.  If the state and the federal government agree to exchange the tidelands for Keystone Spit, DNR will give a quit claim deed to the Parks and Recreation Commission for the tidelands.  The Parks and Recreation Commission will exchange with the federal government state-owned tidelands adjacent to the Olympic National Park.  The exchange will exclude tidelands within the boundaries of Indian reservations.

In making the exchange, the state waives any requirement that the exchanged parcels be of equal value and that the Parks and Recreation Commission approve the exchange.

Any conveyance document must specify that clam digging and fishing will continue on the tidelands.  It will further state that the National Park Service will consult with the Parks and Recreation Commission prior to making any changes in rules or management direction.

Authority for the exchange expires July 31, 1988.

VOTES ON FINAL PASSAGE:

      House 97   0

      Senate    40     8(Senate amended)

      House 97   0(House concurred)

EFFECTIVE:July 26, 1987