Brief Description: Supporting the establishment of the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail.

Sponsors: Senators Parlette, Morton, Mulliken, Delvin and Sheldon.

Brief History:

Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks: 3/17/05 [DP].

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, ECOLOGY & PARKS

Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 8 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Upthegrove, Vice Chair; Buck, Ranking Minority Member; Kretz, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Blake, Eickmeyer, Hunt and Orcutt.

Staff: Jeff Olsen (786-7157).

Background:

Congress provided funding to the National Park Service (NPS) to determine the significance of ice age floods, evaluate the possibility of including these resources as a new unit of the National Park System, and to examine a range of management approaches that identify various ways to coordinate interpretation of ice age floods. The NPS completed the study, Ice Age Floods Study of Alternatives and Environmental Assessment, and recommended an approach that would designate a national geologic trail managed by a NPS trail manager.

Congress is currently considering legislation, H.R. 383 and S. 206, which would authorize the NPS to work with all public and private parties to create the trail. Land acquisition would not exceed 25 acres for an interpretive center to be created in the future.

Summary of Bill:

The Washington State Legislature conveys their support to establish the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail to the President and the Congress.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Testimony For: Congress is currently considering establishing the Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail, which would be a significant economic benefit to Washington. The trail would use existing facilities and parks to tell the story of the ice age floods. Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission currently operates 20 parks, including two premier ice age flood sites at Dry Falls and Palouse Falls, which would be included along the trail. Establishment of the trail dovetails with State Parks' Centennial Plan, and the trail could be experienced by car, hiking, and by plane.

Testimony Against: None

Persons Testifying: Representative Parlette, prime sponsor; and Fred Romero and Steve Wang, Washington State Parks.

Persons Signed In To Testify But Not Testifying: None.