SENATE BILL REPORT

                                   SJM 8031

                      AS PASSED SENATE, FEBRUARY 13, 1992

Brief Description:  Requesting that sites in this state be left out of the Coastal Barriers Resource System.

SPONSORS: Senators Snyder and Conner

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Oke, Vice Chairman; Amondson, Barr, Owen, Sellar, Snyder, and Sutherland.

Staff:  Ats Kiuchi (786‑7708)

Hearing Dates: February 7, 1992

BACKGROUND:

The 1982 federal Coastal Barriers Resources Act was enacted by Congress to halt the expenditures of funds to repair and replace storm damaged structures and utilities on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts.  Low lying sand spits and beaches along shorelines that naturally protect bays, lagoons or marshes are mapped and identified.  In these designated areas, no development is allowed that would require federal funds to be used for repairs and restoration.

In 1985, the Department of Interior was directed by Congress to explore the possibility of including the Pacific Coast into the program.  Public hearings held here resulted in a recommendation of opposition to inclusion.

In 1990, Congress amended the Act to include the Pacific Coast.  Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife agency has identified 103 potential sites in the state.  Currently, due to the strong responses  from local and state agencies, the Fish and Wildlife agency staff is more clearly defining and refining the areas to be included.

SUMMARY:

The Washington State Senate and House of Representatives memorializes Congress and the President of the United States to neither accept the recommendations nor enact legislation  including sites in this state into the coastal barriers resources system.

Statutory authority already exists in our state to protect and ensure wise use of the coastal areas through the Shorelines Management Act.  This management credibility was federally  recognized when the state's coastal zone management plan was the first in the nation to be approved. 

The inclusion of state sites would also provide a financial hardship for those projects that have been approved but have not been developed.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  none requested

TESTIMONY FOR:

The proposed sites are poorly mapped and defined, and it is therefore difficult to determine the impacts on property owners and the state of Washington.  There has been little public information or public participation in the process.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Senator Snyder, prime sponsor (pro)