Title: An act relating to disclosure of certain Native American cultural resources information.

Brief Description: Exempting certain Native American cultural resources information from public disclosure.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Oke, Haugen, Honeyford and Rasmussen; by request of Archaeology and Historic Preservation.

Brief History:

State Government Operations & Accountability: 2/17/06 [DPA].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON STATE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS & ACCOUNTABILITY

Majority Report: Do pass as amended. Signed by 8 members: Representatives Haigh, Chair; Green, Vice Chair; Nixon, Ranking Minority Member; Clements, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Hunt, McDermott, Miloscia and Sump.

Staff: Stephanie Toby (786-7106).

Background:

Records, maps, or other information identifying the location of archaeological sites are exempt from public disclosure.

Watershed Analysis
The Forest and Fish report was instigated by the Forest Practices Board (Board), was negotiated with diverse interest groups, and has the support of key federal agencies. The report was released in 1999 and directs the Board to adopt rules for policies, including a watershed analysis system.

Watershed analysis is a biological and physical assessment of a watershed designed to address the cumulative effects of forest practices on specific public resources and on cultural resources. This process was developed by forest landowners, tribes, environmental groups and state natural resources agencies. Based on assessment results, voluntary management strategies are developed to protect and manage cultural resources. Watershed analysis is performed on Watershed Administrative Units (WAUs), which are defined by hydrology and geomorphology. There are 825 WAUs in Washington.

Summary of Amended Bill:

Records, maps, and other information acquired during watershed analysis that identifies the location of archaeological sites, historic sites, artifacts, or the sites of traditional religious, ceremonial or social uses and activities of affected Indian tribes are exempt from disclosure to prevent the looting or depredation of such sites.

Amended Bill Compared to Original Bill:

The phrase "cultural resources" is removed, and the list "archaeological sites, historic sites, artifacts, or the sites of traditional religious, ceremonial or social uses and activities of affected Indian tribes" is inserted in its place.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date of Amended Bill: The bill takes effect July 1, 2006.

Testimony For: There is support for this bill regardless of whether or not the amendment is adopted. The amendment might complicate the process timewise, but it should be okay.

Testimony Against: None.

Persons Testifying: Bill Garvin, Washington Forest Protection Association; Allyson Brooks, Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation; and Leonard Young, Department of Natural Resources.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.