SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5008

As Reported By Senate Committee On:

Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines, February 26, 2001

Title:  An act relating to primary and secondary forest roads.

Brief Description:  Creating a consistent policy for the creation and maintenance of forest roads.

Sponsors:  Senators Stevens, Swecker, Zarelli, Hochstatter and Rossi.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines:  2/22/01, 2/26/01 [DPS‑WM].

Ways & Means:  3/7/01.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & SHORELINES

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5008 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.

Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Spanel, Vice Chair; Constantine, Hargrove, McDonald, Morton, Oke and Stevens.

Staff: Vic Moon (786‑7469)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff:  Richard Ramsey (786-7412)

Background:  The public uses forest roads for recreational access throughout the state of Washington.  Forest roads on both public and private land provide important opportunity for year-around activities.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The Department of Natural Resources in cooperation with user groups must conduct a study on state trust land road uses and make recommendations to the Legislature by July 1, 2003.  The study must look at enforcement issues, public use and access, vandalism and litter, and public use on other private and public lands.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  The original bill required road development and construction, and the substitute is a study.

Appropriation:  $200,000 GF, $100,000 in each year of the 2001-2003 biennium.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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

Testimony For:  Public use of state trust lands is increasing and with closures of some private lands, the Legislature needs to address recreational use.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Jim King, Citizens for Parks and Recreation; Craig Engelking, Washington Trails Association; Bruce Mackey, Department of Natural Resources.