SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5709

BYSenators McMullen and Metcalf; by request of Department of Natural Resources

Transferring property from the department of natural resources to Skagit county.

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 20, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Kreidler, Owen, Patterson, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  February 21, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, FEBRUARY 20, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Northern State Mental Hospital was closed in 1974 and the lands surrounding the institution were transferred to the Department of Natural Resources for management purposes.  Those lands were originally bought by the state from three separate timber companies.  The lands surrounding the hospital are not now nor have they ever been state trust lands and therefore they are not managed under the requirements of the state enabling act.  Therefore, the public trust doctrine which limits the use for the 17 trust and granted lands is not applied in the case of these lands.

There are 895 acres in the parcel and they are leased presently by Skagit County in two separate leases.  The Legislature has already authorized the county to lease these lands for a fairground.  Present plans are to continue the lease for the public fairgrounds and add some facilities for the general public which relate to recreation but are not directly connected with the Skagit County fair.

The Department of Natural Resources has not expressed any concern over the proposed transfer nor interest in managing the lands for a state purpose.  Arrangements between the department and the county for transfer have been worked out to the benefit of both the state and the county.

The buildings of Northern State are leased from the Department of General Administration for three state programs and the buildings and the state programs would not be affected by the transfer of the lands to the county.

SUMMARY:

The Department of Natural Resources will convey to Skagit County the entire part of state lands not directly adjacent to the buildings on the Northern State Mental Hospital site.  The expenses relating to the transfer will be borne by the county.  The lands will be used for county fairgrounds and other public purposes.

The agreement between the Department of Natural Resources and Skagit County will be followed by the Governor executing a quitclaim deed for the conveyance of the land.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      requested February 15, 1989

Senate Committee - Testified: Stan Biles, Department of Natural Resources; Maryta Deck, Washington State Fairs Association (pro)