H-1060.1  _______________________________________________

                          HOUSE BILL 1397

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      54th Legislature     1995 Regular Session

By Representatives Fuhrman, Cairnes, Thompson, Boldt, Sheldon, Stevens and McMorris

Read first time 01/24/95.  Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.

Providing for transfer of state forest lands back to counties for public purpose.

    AN ACT Relating to transfer of state forest lands back to counties; and adding a new section to chapter 76.12 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 76.12 RCW to read as follows:

    If the board of county commissioners of a county determines that forest lands, that were acquired from the county by the state pursuant to RCW 76.12.030 and that are under the administration of the department of natural resources, are needed by the county for a public purpose or to be traded for lands to be used for a public purpose or should be managed by the county, the board of county commissioners may file an application with the board of natural resources for the transfer of such forest lands.

    Upon the filing of an application by the board of county commissioners, the department of natural resources shall cause notice of the impending transfer to be given in the manner provided by RCW 42.30.060.  The department shall reconvey the forest lands to the requesting county to have and to hold for so long as the forest lands or traded lands are developed, maintained, and used for the proposed public purpose.

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