BILL REQ. #:  S-3528.1 

Read first time 01/19/2004.   Referred to Committee on Parks, Fish & Wildlife.

     AN ACT Relating to metal detectors in state parks; adding new sections to chapter 79A.05 RCW; and creating a new section.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature that those significant historic archaeological resources on state park lands that are of importance to the history of our state, or its communities, be protected for the people of the state. At the same time, the legislature also recognizes that the recreational use of metal detectors in state parks is a legitimate form of recreation that can be compatible with the protection of significant historic archaeological resources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 79A.05 RCW to read as follows:
     By September 1, 2005, the commission shall open all developed and common use areas of state parks for the recreational use of metal detectors. Any items discovered of historic archaeological significance must be turned in to the state either through the commission or the office of archaeology and historic preservation within the department of community, trade, and economic development.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 79A.05 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If the commission determines that a park or a portion of a park must be exempted from metal detecting because of its historic archaeological resources, the commission must, by December 1, 2005, submit a brief report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature as to how they and a professional archaeologist made this determination.
     (2) It is the intent of this section to not allow blanket exemptions but to ensure the preservation for the public of proven historic archaeological resources.