SENATE BILL REPORT

                                    HB 1887

                             AS OF MARCH 22, 1991

Brief Description:  Redefining open space land.

SPONSORS:Representatives Fraser, Belcher, Beck, Valle, Brumsickle, Rust, Ogden, Pruitt, Jacobsen, Sprenkle, Rasmussen, Prentice, Moyer, Forner, Padden, Paris, Phillips, Miller, May, Winsley, Tate, D. Sommers and Silver.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON REVENUE

SENATE COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS

Staff:  Rod McAulay (786‑7754)

Hearing Dates:

BACKGROUND:

The Legislature passed the Open Space Act in 1970.  The act established a policy to maintain, preserve, conserve and otherwise continue in existence adequate open space lands for their agricultural value, as well as scenic beauty.  Assessment practices are designed to permit and encourage the continued existence of open spaces.

Growth in urban areas is rapidly eliminating many of the traditional scenic corridors between developments and highways.  Greenbelts which traditionally bordered highways, street corridors are also rapidly disappearing.

SUMMARY:

The definition of open space is expanded to include any land area for which preservation will preserve visual quality along highways, roads, and street corridors or scenic vistas.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available