Title: An act relating to implementing the recommendations of the state parks and outdoor recreation funding task force relating to the use of the outdoor recreation account.

Brief Description: Concerning distributions from the outdoor recreation account.

Sponsors: Representatives Flannigan, Ericksen, Armstrong, McIntire, Condotta, Wallace, Dunshee and Cooper.

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

• The use of the Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program allocation for state parks changes from 75 percent land acquisition and 25 percent park development to 50 percent land acquisition and 50 percent park development through June 30, 2009.

Majority Report: The substitute bill be substituted therefor and the substitute bill do pass. Signed by 24 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Hunt, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Priest, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Armstrong, Benson, Blake, Bush, Chase, Flannigan, Hankins, Hinkle, Kirby, Lantz, Mastin, McIntire, Morrell, Murray, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Schoesler, Simpson and Woods.

The Washington Wildlife and Recreation Program (WWRP) provides funds for the acquisition and development of local and state parks, water access sites, trails, critical wildlife habitat, and urban wildlife habitat. Counties, cities, ports, park and recreation districts, school districts, state agencies, and tribes are eligible to apply. Local and tribal governments must provide at least a 50 percent match in cash or in-kind contributions. Grants applications are evaluated annually and the Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation submits a list of prioritized projects to the Governor and Legislature for approval. Half the funds are for habitat conservation and the other half for outdoor recreation, allocated by formulas established in statute.

Of the funds allocated for outdoor recreation, at least 25 percent goes to the State Parks and Recreation Commission for acquisition and development of state parks. Of these funds going to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, 75 percent must be used for acquisition and 25 percent for park development.

The substitute bill changes the use of the WWRP allocation for state parks from 75 percent land acquisition and 25 percent park development to 50 percent for acquisition and 50 percent for park development through June 30, 2009. Beginning July 1, 2009, the minimum amount that must be used for acquisition costs reverts back to 75 percent.

Effective Date of Substitute Bill: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: Since the state parks system is not growing like it has previously, a larger share of these funds should be used for development of parks rather than land acquisition. This bill implements a recommendation of the State Parks and Outdoor Recreation Funding Task Force.

Testified: Representative Flannigan, prime sponsor; Mike Ryherd, Washington Wildlife and Recreation Coalition; Fred Romero, State Parks and Recreation Commission; and Jim King, Citizens for Parks and Recreation.