FINAL BILL REPORT

                   SB 5895

                          C 203 L 95

                      Synopsis as Enacted

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

Sponsors:  Senator Snyder.

Senate Committee on Ecology & Parks

House Committee on Natural Resources

Background:  In 1967, the Legislature established the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area.  The Seashore Conservation Area is under the jurisdiction of the State Parks and Recreation Commission and is managed for the purpose of preserving coastal beaches for public recreation.

The Seashore Conservation Area includes selected segments of coastline along the Pacific Ocean.  It is defined as:  (1) the area between the line of ordinary high tide and the line of extreme low tide, or (2) the area between the Seashore Conservation Line, where applicable, and the line of extreme low tide.  The Seashore Conservation Line is established through surveys conducted by State Parks.

The commission has general authority to sell or exchange park lands that cannot be advantageously used for park purposes.  Current law, however, generally prohibits the commission from selling, leasing, or otherwise disposing of lands within the Seashore Conservation Area.

Summary:  The State Parks and Recreation Commission is authorized to exchange state park lands in the Seashore Conservation Area for lands of equal value.  Only state parks lands located east of the Seashore Conservation Line may be exchanged.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate    47 0

House     96 0

Effective:  May 1, 1995