BP BHEAD INT S

AN ACT Relating to interagency for outdoor recreation grant and loan priorities; amending RCW 43.17.250 and 43.98A.070; creating a new section; repealing RCW 43.51.380; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the interagency for outdoor recreation loan and grant evaluation system should consider recreational opportunities for both rural and urban areas. It further recognizes that the interagency for outdoor recreation can provide increased economic benefits to our state by expanding recreational opportunities in rural and distressed communities.

Sec. 2. RCW 43.17.250 and 1991 sp.s. c 32 s 25 are each amended to read as follows:

Whenever a state agency is considering awarding grants or loans for a county, city, or town to finance public facilities, it shall consider whether the county, city, or town that is requesting the grant or loan is a party to or affected by the Columbia river gorge national scenic area management plan or a county-wide planning policy under RCW 36.70A.210 relating to the type of public facility for which the grant or loan is sought, or in the case of a city or town, whether such city or town is surrounded by a jurisdiction that is subject to a planning policy under the Columbia river gorge national scenic area management plan and is impacted by such a plan, and shall accord additional preference to the county, city, or town if such county-wide planning policy exists. Whenever a state agency is considering awarding grants or loans to a special district for public facilities, it shall consider whether the county, city, or town in whose planning jurisdiction the proposed facility is located is a party to or affected by the Columbia river gorge national scenic area management plan or a county-wide planning policy under RCW 36.70A.210 relating to the type of public facility for which the grant or loan is sought, or, in the case of a city or town, if it is surrounded by a jurisdiction that is subject to the Columbia river gorge national scenic area management plan and is impacted by such a plan.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. RCW 43.51.380 and 1980 c 89 s 3 are each repealed.

Sec. 4. RCW 43.98A.070 and 1990 1st ex.s. c 14 s 8 are each amended to read as follows:

(1) In determining which state parks proposals and local parks proposals to fund, the committee shall use existing policies and priorities.

(2) Moneys appropriated for this chapter may not be used by the committee to fund additional staff or other overhead expenses, or by a state, regional, or local agency to fund operation and maintenance of areas acquired under this chapter.

(3) Moneys appropriated for this chapter may be used for costs incidental to acquisition, including, but not limited to, surveying expenses, fencing, and signing.

(4) The committee may not approve a project of a local agency where the share contributed by the local agency is less than the amount to be awarded from the outdoor recreation account.

(5) The committee ((~~may~~)) shall adopt rules establishing acquisition policies and priorities for the acquisition and development of trails and water access sites to be financed from moneys in the outdoor recreation account.

(6) In determining the acquisition and development priorities, the committee shall consider, at a minimum, the following criteria:

(a) For trails proposals:

(i) Community support;

(ii) Immediacy of threat to the site;

(iii) Linkage between communities;

(iv) Linkage between trails;

(v) Existing or potential usage;

(vi) Consistency with an existing local land use plan or a national, regional, or state-wide recreational or resource plan;

(vii) Availability of water access or views;

(viii) Enhancement of wildlife habitat; ((~~and~~))

(ix) Scenic values of the site;

(x) Economic benefits; and

(xi) Tourism demands.

(b) For water access proposals:

(i) Community support;

(ii) Distance from similar water access opportunities;

(iii) Immediacy of threat to the site;

(iv) Diversity of possible recreational uses; ((~~and~~))

(v) Economic benefits; and

(vi) Public demand, including tourism, in the area.

(7) Before October 1st of each even-numbered year, the committee shall recommend to the governor a prioritized list of state agency projects to be funded under RCW 43.98A.050(1) (a), (c), and (d). The governor may remove projects from the list recommended by the committee and shall submit this amended list in the capital budget request to the legislature. The list shall include, but not be limited to, a description of each project; and shall describe for each project any anticipated restrictions upon recreational activities allowed prior to the project.

(8) Before October 1st of each year, the committee shall recommend to the governor a prioritized list of all local projects to be funded under RCW 43.98A.050(1) (b), (c), and (d) of this act. The governor may remove projects from the list recommended by the committee and shall submit this amended list in the capital budget request to the legislature. The list shall include, but not be limited to, a description of each project and any particular match requirement, and describe for each project any anticipated restrictions upon recreational activities allowed prior to the project.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 5. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.