SENATE BILL REPORT

                  ESB 5800

               As Passed Senate, March 13, 1997

Title:  An act relating to the shoreline substantial development exemption for docks.

Brief Description:  Changing the shoreline substantial development exemption for docks.

Sponsors:  Senator Hargrove.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Agriculture & Environment:  2/26/97 [DP].

Passed Senate, 3/13/97, 42-7.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & ENVIRONMENT

Majority Report:  Do pass.

  Signed by Senators Morton, Chair; Swecker, Vice Chair; Oke and Rasmussen.

Staff:  Kari Guy (786-7437)

Background:  The Shoreline Management Act requires that a development conducted on shorelines of the state be consistent with the guidelines, rules, and master programs created under the act.  A shoreline substantial development permit is required for any construction with a fair market value which exceeds $2,500, with some exemptions.

One exemption is for the construction of a noncommercial dock, including a community dock, which is designed for pleasure craft only.  This exemption applies in salt waters if the fair market value of the dock does not exceed $2,500, and in fresh waters if the fair market value of the dock does not exceed $10,000.

Summary of Bill:  West of the crest of Cascade mountains, construction of a noncommercial dock of less than 400 square feet in area and eight feet in width at any point is exempt from substantial development permit requirements.  East of the crest of the Cascades, the shoreline substantial development exemption applies to noncommercial docks with a fair market value that does not exceed $10,000.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  The $2,500 exemption was set in 1973, and has not kept pace with inflation.  Basing the exemption on the square footage of the dock is a permanent solution that is easier to administer and will not have to be changed every few years.  This bill has the support of counties in both eastern and western Washington. 

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified: Wendell Stroud, Marine Floats (pro); Eric Bergman, Association of Counties (pro).