BILL REQ. #: S-2464.1
| State of Washington | 63rd Legislature | 2013 Regular Session |
Read first time 04/10/13. Referred to Committee on Ways & Means.
AN ACT Relating to maintaining access to state recreational lands managed by the department of natural resources; creating a new section; and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1 (1) The legislature finds that maintaining
access to the state's public lands is vital to preserving the many
recreational and health benefits those lands provide to the citizens of
the state. State lands provide an innumerable number of valuable
recreational opportunities including, but not limited to, hunting,
fishing, hiking, bicycling, horseback riding, off-road vehicle use, and
wildlife viewing. In turn, these recreational opportunities generate
economic benefits for the communities surrounding those lands.
(2) The legislature finds that one way to help maintain
recreational access to state lands is to ensure state agencies have the
tools to provide an adequate law enforcement presence on those lands.
As the largest state agency recreational land manager, the department
of natural resources holds approximately three million acres of uplands
managed to benefit public institutions, such as common schools, and
counties, as well as a number of preserves and conservation areas. The
legislature intends to provide the department of natural resources with
additional resources to increase the number of officers protecting the
state's natural resources and ensuring safe recreation on state lands,
which in turn will help stem the need for recreational area closures.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2 The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or
as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2014, from the general fund to the department of
natural resources for the purposes of this act.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3 The sum of five hundred thousand dollars, or
as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the fiscal
year ending June 30, 2015, from the general fund to the department of
natural resources for the purposes of this act.