SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5770
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS, MARCH 1, 1993
Brief Description: Allowing metropolitan park districts to purchase land for the purpose of creating conservation futures.
SPONSORS: Senators Fraser and Winsley
SENATE COMMITTEE ON ECOLOGY & PARKS
Majority Report: Do pass.
Signed by Senators Fraser, Chairman; Barr, Deccio, McCaslin, Moore, Sutherland, and Talmadge.
Staff: Cathy Baker (786‑7708)
Hearing Dates: February 26, 1993; March 1, 1993
BACKGROUND:
In 1971 the Legislature authorized certain entities to participate in "conservation futures" programs. Under these programs, an entity may purchase development rights or make other contractual agreements with a property owner of select open space, farm land, or timber land. The purpose of purchasing development rights or making other contractual agreements is to preserve these open spaces or areas from future development. Under current law, the following entities are authorized to participate in conservation futures programs: counties, cities, towns, metropolitan municipal corporations, nonprofit historic preservation corporations, and nonprofit nature conservancy corporations or associations.
SUMMARY:
Metropolitan park districts are added to the list of entities authorized to participate in conservation futures programs.
Appropriation: none
Revenue: none
Fiscal Note: none requested
TESTIMONY FOR:
The one metropolitan park district in the state would like to participate in the county's conservation futures program. The district is precluded from doing so because these park districts are not currently listed in the statute. Passing this legislation would allow the district to participate in this worthwhile program.
TESTIMONY AGAINST: None
TESTIFIED: Jim Montgomerie, Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma (pro)