FINAL BILL REPORT

                 ESHB 1056

                         C 371 L 97

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description:  Requiring that natural area preserves be accessible for public hunting, fishing, and trapping.

Sponsors:  By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by  Representatives Hatfield, Pennington, Doumit, Mielke, Johnson, Buck, Kessler, Sheldon, Mastin, Grant, Thompson, DeBolt, Quall, Boldt and Linville).

House Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

Background:  A natural area preserve (NAP) is an area that retains its natural character, although not necessarily completely natural and undisturbed, or an area that is important in preserving rare or vanishing flora, fauna, geological, natural historical, or other similar features of scientific or educational value.  The state owns 46 NAPs, totaling 26,000 acres.  Public use of natural area preserves generally has been limited to educational and scientific research activities.  The Elk River natural area preserve is a 3,400-acre preserve in Grays Harbor County. 

A natural resources conservation areas (NRCA) is an area deemed worthy of conservation for its outstanding scenic and ecological value.  The state owns 23 NRCAs, totaling 47,000 acres.  NRCAs are open for low-impact public use.

Summary:  The Elk River natural area preserve is transferred from management as a natural area preserve to management as a natural resources conservation area.  The Legislature finds that hunting is a suitable low-impact use within the Elk River conservation area.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) must incorporate this legislative direction into the management plan developed for the area.  The DNR must work with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify hunting opportunities compatible with the area=s conservation purposes.

Votes on Final Passage:

House  67 27

Senate 43 5 (Senate amended)

House  88 10 (House concurred)

Effective: July 27, 1997