H-0314.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 1017
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State of Washington 55th Legislature 1997 Regular Session
By Representatives Sehlin, Anderson, Koster, Quall, Huff, L. Thomas and Dunn
Read first time 01/13/97. Referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to exchanges of state-owned aquatic lands with privately owned lands under the public interest standard; creating new sections; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. It is the intent of the legislature to expedite exchanges of state-owned aquatic lands with privately owned lands in cases benefitting commerce and fostering improved public use and access to aquatic lands.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. For the purposes of RCW 79.90.457, an exchange of state-owned aquatic lands located within a city with a population of less than ten thousand persons and occupied by a firm employing more than one hundred employees, which firm has occupied the state-owned aquatic lands for over fifty years, with privately owned lands that will permit public use and access to aquatic lands is hereby declared to be of public interest and of contribution to the public benefits established in RCW 79.90.455.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. The department of natural resources shall work cooperatively with any private landowner necessary to expedite and exchange under section 2 of this act. The department shall consider the public interest value of assisting the firm in continuing its commercial operations at its current site, and shall not make reference to adjacent upland uses or zoning, when valuing the state-owned aquatic lands.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect immediately.
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