HOUSE BILL REPORT

                 SHB 2351

                    As Passed Legislature

Title:  An act relating to the recovery of stray logs.

Brief Description:  Modifying provisions relating to recovery of stray logs.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Shin, Patterson, Campbell, Finkbeiner, Forner, Appelwick, J. Kohl and Johanson).

Brief History:

Reported by House Committee on:

Natural Resources & Parks, January 25, 1994, DPS;

Passed House, February 8, 1994, 92-0;

  Amended by Senate;

  House concurred;

  Passed Legislature, March 7, 1994, 93-0.

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass.  Signed by 10 members:  Representatives Pruitt, Chair; R. Johnson, Vice Chair; McMorris, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dunshee; Linville; Schoesler; Sheldon; B. Thomas; Valle; and Wolfe.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  Transportation of logs and log raft storage were once commonplace on the waters of Washington.  Licensed log patrols recovered logs which escaped from their owners and drifted or became stranded or submerged.  Log patrols were licensed by the Department of Natural Resources.  Only a log's owner, the owner's agent, or a licensed log patrol could recover stray logs.

While water transportation of logs is no longer commonplace, the occasional stray log can pose a threat to navigation, safety and property.  The requirement that only a log's owner or a licensed log patrol may recover stray logs remains.  This prevents local governments, state agencies, ports, private waterfront property owners, boaters and others from dealing with stray logs unless the log owner or a log patrol agrees to respond.  The Department of Natural Resources also retains the responsibility for managing a log patrol licensing program for an ever-decreasing number of licensees.  Currently there are three log patrol license holders in the state.  Licenses cost $500 and are for a two-year period.

Summary of Bill:  The existing log patrol statutes are repealed, and references to log patrols found elsewhere in statute are deleted.

The Department of Natural Resources shall convene a discussion among interested parties to review issues related to stray log recovery.  By October 31, 1994, the department shall report proposed guidelines for the recovery of adrift stray logs.

Fiscal Note:  Not available.  Available on similar measure (HB 2285).

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  Stray logs can be very dangerous for boaters.  The state has beautiful waterways; they should remain both beautiful and safe.  The bill allows and provides an incentive for private citizens to retrieve adrift logs.  Private landowners can retrieve logs on their property.  The log patrol licensing program has been in place since the 1940's and has been a valuable program; however, the program has outlived its usefulness.  The proposed supplemental budget removes the funding for the log patrol licensing program.

Testimony Against:  None. 

Witnesses:  Representative Paul Shin, prime sponsor; and Art Stearns, Department of Natural Resources.