H-2555.1  _______________________________________________

                    SUBSTITUTE HOUSE BILL 1492

          _______________________________________________

State of Washington      55th Legislature     1997 Regular Session

By House Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Buck, Kessler and Schoesler)

Read first time 03/05/97.

Creating easements across natural area preserves. 

    AN ACT Relating to natural area preserves; and adding a new section to chapter 79.70 RCW.

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

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1.  A new section is added to chapter 79.70 RCW to read as follows:

    (1) Prior to acquiring any property for a natural area preserve under RCW 79.70.030 or 79.70.040 or under chapter 43.98A RCW, the department shall hold a local public hearing in the county where the majority of the land in a proposed natural area preserve is located.  At the hearing, the department shall explain the natural area preserve program and the rationale for possible inclusion of the local property as a natural area preserve.  The department shall distribute an accurate map showing the proposed boundary of the proposed preserve and containing the exact legal description.  At least fourteen days prior to the public hearing, the department shall send notice specifying the date, location, time, and purpose of the public hearing to each local newspaper of general circulation and to each local radio and television station.

    (2) The department shall not acquire the property for a proposed natural area preserve for at least sixty days following the public hearing provided for in subsection (1) of this section.  During that sixty days, the county legislative authority of the county where the majority of the land in a proposed natural area preserve is located may pass a resolution asking the department not to acquire the property for a natural area preserve.  If the county legislative authority so requests, the department shall not acquire the property for a natural area preserve.

    (3) The department shall hold an additional local public hearing when the department completes a draft management plan for a preserve.  The department shall clearly identify the opportunities for public use and access contained in the draft management plan as well as the elimination or restriction of any existing public access.  The department shall provide an opportunity for public input and testimony on the draft management plan.  The department shall provide notice of the additional public hearing in the same manner as in subsection (1) of this section.

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