HOUSE BILL REPORT

                  SB 5895

             As Reported By House Committee On:

                      Natural Resources

Title:  An act relating to permitting the exchange of state park lands within the Seashore Conservation Area.

Brief Description:  Permitting the exchange of state park lands within the Seashore Conservation Area.

Sponsors:  Senator Snyder.

Brief History:

  Committee Activity:

Natural Resources:  3/21/95, 3/22/95 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES

Majority Report:  Do pass.  Signed by 15 members:  Representatives Fuhrman, Chairman; Buck, Vice Chairman; Pennington, Vice Chairman; Basich, Ranking Minority Member; Regala, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Beeksma; Cairnes; Elliot; G. Fisher; Jacobsen; Romero; Sheldon; Stevens; B. Thomas and Thompson.

Staff:  Linda Byers (786-7129).

Background:  In 1967, the Legislature established the Seashore Conservation Area in order to preserve some coastal areas for public recreation.  The conservation area is made up of parcels of state-owned lands along specified stretches of the Pacific coastline.  The conservation area is managed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission. 

The commission has general authority to sell, exchange, or otherwise dispose of lands under its control which cannot be used advantageously for park purposes.  However, current law precludes the sale, lease, or other disposal of lands within the Seashore Conservation Area.

Summary of Bill:  The State Parks and Recreation Commission may exchange state park lands in the Seashore Conservation Area for lands of equal value.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

Effective Date of Amended Bill:  The bill contains an emergency clause and takes effect immediately.

Testimony For:  This will give the State Parks and Recreation Commission the same authority in the Seashore Conservation Area as it has for other state parks properties.  Currently, there is a pattern of public ownership intermingled with private ownership.  This could help us consolidate our properties and be better managers.  The exchanges of these properties would be under the same ground rules as other exchanges including a public hearing in the area and a unanimous vote by the commission.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Cleve Pinnix, State Parks and Recreation Commission (in favor).