SENATE BILL REPORT

                            HB 1769

  AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, MARCH 26, 1993

Brief Description:  Expanding the authority of the interagency committee for outdoor recreation regarding recreational trails.

SPONSORS: Representatives Linville, R. Johnson, Dunshee, Wolfe, Pruitt, Rust, Karahalios, Stevens, Schoesler, Jacobsen, Basich and J. Kohl

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report:  Do pass. 

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

Staff:  Cathy Baker (786‑7708)

Hearing Dates: March 24, 1993; March 26, 1993

BACKGROUND:

In 1970, the Legislature established the concept of a state recreational trails system.  The Legislature delegated the responsibility for preparation of a state trails plan to the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC).

Under current law, the IAC is authorized and encouraged to cooperate with several entities to see if abandoned roadways, utility rights-of-way, and other properties are suitable and available for inclusion in the state trail system.  The IAC is encouraged to consult and cooperate with federal, state, and local government agencies, with private landowners, and with privately owned utilities.

SUMMARY:

In addition to the entities identified above, the IAC is also expressly authorized and encouraged to consult with special districts identified in Chapter 85.38 RCW.  These special districts include diking and drainage districts of various forms, and flood control districts.  In addition to abandoned roadways and utility rights-of-way, the IAC is also to consider the use of dikes and levees for inclusion in the state trails system.

Appropriation:  none

Revenue:  none

Fiscal Note:  available

TESTIMONY FOR:

Trails along dikes provide year-round public access, are low cost because the dikes are already there, and can be made accessible to the handicapped.  This proposal is consistent with the recommendations made by the Joint Select Committee on Flood Damage Reduction.

TESTIMONY AGAINST:  None

TESTIFIED:  Representative Kelli Linville, prime sponsor; Laura Eckert, Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation