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.

Hearing Date: 2/17/06

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 Bill:

Information identifying the location of cultural resources that is acquired during the watershed analysis, including records and maps, is exempt from disclosure in order to prevent the looting or depredation of such sites.

Senate Bill Compared to Substitute House Bill:
The senate bill is in its original form, whereas the house bill took out the phrase "cultural resources" and replaced it with "archaeological sites, historic sites, artifacts, or the sites of traditional religious, ceremonial or social uses and activities of affected Indian tribes."

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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