SENATE BILL REPORT

                           SHB 1518

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, MARCH 31, 1993

Brief Description:  Creating a water trail recreation program.

SPONSORS: House Committee on Natural Resources & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives Valle, Dunshee, Pruitt, Rust, J. Kohl, Holm, Jacobsen, Linville and Eide)

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

     Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Barr, Moore, Sutherland, and Talmadge.

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786‑7708)

Hearing Dates: March 31, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In January 1993, the State Parks and Recreation Commission designated the state's first official water trail.  The trail runs from south Puget Sound into the San Juan Islands.  The commission has designated 12 state parks as part of the water trail.  In addition, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved the use of eight Department of Natural Resources marine recreation sites as part of the same trail.

SUMMARY:

A state water trail recreation program is created in statute to be administered by the State Parks and Recreation Commission.  The commission is authorized to plan, construct and maintain facilities for water trail activities.  The commission may also publish and charge a fee for maps and other forms of public information indicating areas and facilities suitable for water trail activities, and may work with groups who wish to volunteer support for the water trail program.

A Water Trail Advisory Committee is created to advise the commission on matters related to water trails.  The advisory committee is to be made up of public members representing water trail users, public members representing the commercial sector, and representatives of state agencies and local government associations.

A water trail permit system is also created, with the fee for an annual permit to be determined by the commission after consultation with the Water Trails Advisory Committee.  There are also fines for violations of this act.  The permit fees, fines, and revenues from sales of publications are to be deposited into the water trail program account, which the bill creates in the state treasury.  Moneys in this account are subject to appropriation and may only be spent by the commission for water trail purposes.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  yes

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:  None

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  No one