S-2307               _______________________________________________

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 6057

                        _______________________________________________

State of Washington                              50th Legislature                              1987 Regular Session

By Senator DeJarnatt

Read first time 3/5/87 and referred to Committee on Parks & Ecology.

AN ACT Relating to land areas along the Pacific Ocean; creating a new section; and providing an expiration date.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.     (1) The counties of the state which include Pacific ocean beaches under RCW 79.94.340 through 79.94.360 shall develop temporary ocean beach management plans to regulate vehicular traffic on the beaches.  The counties, or cities located therein, may close beaches to vehicular traffic if it is necessary for pedestrian, recreational, tourism, or wildlife needs, in consultation with the appropriate state agencies including, but not limited to, the state parks and recreation commission and the departments of transportation, fisheries, and game.

          (2) The senate parks and ecology committee and the house of representatives environmental affairs committee shall study the advisability of a permanent state ocean beach management plan.  In conducting the study, the committees shall consider:

          (a) Pedestrian and vehicular safety;

          (b) Marine and shore birds and mammal habitats;

          (c) The preservation of beach vegetation;

          (d) The protection of sand dune topography;

          (e) The prudent management of clam beds;

          (f) The economic impacts to the local community;

          (g) Public access and parking availability; and

          (h) Allocation of authority among appropriate state and local agencies.

          (3) The committees shall report the conclusions of the study to the legislature, including any recommended legislation, prior to December 31, 1988, on which date this section shall expire.