Brief Description: Reorganizing aquatic lands statutes.

Sponsors: By House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks (originally sponsored by Representatives B. Sullivan, Kretz, Upthegrove, Orcutt, Eickmeyer and Buck; by request of Commissioner of Public Lands).

House Committee on Natural Resources, Ecology & Parks
Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation

Background:

The Legislature created the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in 1957 and assigned to it the responsibility for managing the state's aquatic lands for the benefit of the public. The DNR manages over two million acres of tidelands, shorelands, and bedlands. This includes the beds of all navigable rivers and lakes, along with the beds below the Puget Sound.

The management of aquatic lands must support a balance of goals, including the encouragement of public access, the fostering of water-dependent uses, the utilization of renewable resources, and the generation of revenue. Revenues generated from the state's aquatic lands are generally directed to be used for public benefits, such as shoreline access, environmental protection, and recreational opportunities. Under the law, the DNR may lease aquatic lands and exchange state-owned aquatic lands for privately owned lands. The DNR may also accept gifts of aquatic lands.

Most of the structure that outlines the DNR's duties and responsibilities is codified in Title 79 of the Revised Code of Washington, which was last rewritten in 1982.

Summary:

Statutes governing the DNR's management of aquatic lands are reorganized without substantive change. Non-substantive revisions eliminate outdated terms and antiquated provisions, create gender neutrality, and regroup like subjects.

Votes on Final Passage:

House   98   0
Senate   46   0

Effective: July 24, 2005

Partial Veto Summary: Removes a section of the act that would have made non-substantiative changes to a section of code that was significantly amended by a separate piece of legislation.