Brief Description: Allowing the department of natural resources to exchange certain state lands.

Sponsors: Representatives B. Sullivan and Chase; by request of Department of Natural Resources.

Hearing Date: 1/12/06

Staff: Amy Van Horn (786-7168).

Background:

The Department of Natural Resources (Department) has the authority to exchange state land and its timber for any land of equal value, with the approval of the Board of Natural Resources (Board). Before authorizing any exchange, the Board has to determine that the exchange is in the best interest of the existing land trust. The exchange can not reduce the acreage of publicly-owned forest land. The land exchange also must be undertaken for one of the following reasons:

• to facilitate marketing of forest products;
• to consolidate and block-up state lands;
• to acquire lands having commercial recreational leasing potential;
• to acquire county-owned lands;
• to acquire urban property which has greater income potential or which can be more efficiently managed by the Department in exchange for state urban lands; or,
• to acquire any other lands if the Board deems that the exchange is in the best interest of the existing trust.

During the 2003-05 biennium, the exchange could involve cash or services proceeds, up to 5 percent of the total exchange value of the land. Cash proceeds went into a resource management cost account to pay for administrative exchange expenses.

The provision allowing land to be exchanged for proceeds was only available to the Department during the 2003-05 biennium.

Summary of Bill:

A provision that allows the Department of Natural Resources to exchange any state land and its timber for any land and proceeds of equal value is reenacted and made permanent.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.