Title: An act relating to establishing a statewide strategy for land acquisitions and disposal.

Brief Description: Establishing a statewide strategy for land acquisitions and disposal.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Energy & Water (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette and Berkey).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

(As Amended by House Committee)

• The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation must submit a report to the Legislature and the Governor regarding public acquisition of habitat and recreational lands.

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 23 members: Representatives Dunshee, Chair; Hunt, Vice Chair; Alexander, Ranking Minority Member; Priest, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Benson, Blake, Bush, Chase, Eickmeyer, Hankins, Hinkle, Kirby, Lantz, Mastin, Morrell, Murray, Newhouse, O'Brien, Orcutt, Schoesler, G. Simpson, Veloria and Woods.

The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) administers a variety of grant and other programs related to natural resources, habitat conservation, and outdoor recreation. In 1999, the IAC did a report called the Public and Tribal Lands Inventory, that provided a baseline inventory of public lands and identifies the total acreage of public and tribal lands, their ownership, general location, and primary purpose.

The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation must report to the Legislature and the Governor by June 30, 2005, regarding public acquisition of habitat and recreational lands. The report must include an inventory of recreation and habitat land transfers by state agencies since 1980. The report must cover specified types of transfers, principal use of the land, agencies involved, costs and returns, funding sources, and authorizations. The report must also include a recommended statewide strategy for coordinating habitat and recreation acquisitions by state agencies.

The striking amendment focuses on coordinating acquisitions rather than controlling them, and adds consideration of multiple uses of public land.

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

Testimony For: It would be helpful to get an update on how much land has been acquired and how the acquisition has occurred. This information can lead to a strategy to govern acquisition of habitat and recreational lands by the public. The strategy could address issues like payment in lieu of taxes and coordinating state agencies.

Persons Testifying: (In support) Senator Parlette, prime sponsor; Steve Pozzanghera, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife; Mike Ryherd, NW Ecosystem Alliance; Bill Robinson, The Nature Conservancy; Robin Estes, Department of Natural Resources; and Paul Parker, Washington State Association of Counties.