H-1615.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2003
_______________________________________________
State of Washington 52nd Legislature 1991 Regular Session
By Representatives Hargrove, Basich, R. Fisher, Belcher, Bowman, Beck and Jones.
Read first time February 19, 1991. Referred to Committee on Transportation.
AN ACT Relating to managing highway rights of way for pulp and timber production; adding new sections to Title 47 RCW; creating a new section; and making appropriations.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature hereby finds that:
(1) The amount of forest land available for pulp wood and timber production in the state is declining due to increased environmental protection and conversion to other uses, and as a result the state's timber supply is shrinking.
(2) There is a need to identify lands that may be available for pulp wood and timber production that have not traditionally been managed for this purpose.
(3) Many of the rights of way along highways could be visually enhanced through tree planting and that with proper management on appropriate sites, trees planted in these areas could be managed to both beautify the state's highways and provide a new source of pulp wood and timber.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to Title 47 RCW to read as follows:
(1) The department of transportation, where appropriate, shall manage highway rights of way to enhance the beauty of these areas through tree plantings and to provide a new source of pulp wood and timber.
(2) The department of natural resources shall cooperate with the department of transportation to identify appropriate highway rights of way where tree planting could simultaneously beautify the highway and provide a potential source of pulp wood and timber. In identifying these sites the departments shall consider the need to maintain flexibility with regard to future highway development, the role trees can play in enhancing and reducing highway safety, access for planting and harvesting, and the quality of the sites for tree growth.
(3) The department of natural resources shall provide technical assistance to the department of transportation in preparing management plans for areas to be planted and managed, but the department of transportation shall be responsible for all activities carried out on lands under its management.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. A new section is added to Title 47 RCW to read as follows:
Any revenues derived from the sale of pulp wood or timber harvested from highway rights of way shall be deposited in the motor vehicle fund.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. (1) The sum of fifteen thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the motor vehicle fund to the department of transportation for the purpose of the department's activities required under section 2 of this act.
(2) The sum of five thousand dollars, or as much thereof as may be necessary, is appropriated for the biennium ending June 30, 1993, from the general fund to the department of natural resources for the purpose of the department's activities required under section 2 of this act.