Title: An act relating to mountains to Sound greenway outdoor recreation projects.

Brief Description: Funding mountains to Sound greenway outdoor recreation projects.

Sponsors: Senators Jacobsen, Esser, Kline, Pflug and Roach.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/19/06, 1/23/06, 1/25/06[w/oRec-WM, DNP].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: That it be referred to Committee on Ways & Means without recommendation.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Doumit, Vice Chair; Oke, Ranking Minority Member; Fraser, Hargrove, Spanel and Swecker.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senators Morton and Stevens.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: The concept of the Mountains to Sound Greenway refers to the habitat and recreation corridor, composed of lands including forest lands, farms, parks, rivers, lakes, and historic towns, that runs along Interstate 90 between Seattle and Thorp.

The Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust is an organization, formed in 1990, whose mission is to protect and enhance this 100 mile corridor. The Trust seeks to enhance access to the recreational opportunities within the Greeway, as well as the recreational facilities that currently exist.

Summary of Bill: An appropriation in the amount of $6,100,000 is provided from the general fund to the Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development Mountains to Sound Greenway Project account. The Department of Community, Trade, and Economic Development (CTED) must use these funds for designated projects including trail, trail head, and support facility construction and improvement at Squak Mountain trail, Tiger Mountain trail, Rattlesnake Mountain trail, Mailbox Peak trail, and Middle Fork Valley. Additionally, funding for signage projects, the development of mountain bike and equestrian trials, land management planning, and scenic viewpoint construction is provided.

An appropriation in the amount of $3,900,000 is provided from the general fund to the State Parks and Recreation Commission Mountains to Sound Greenway Project account. The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) must use these funds for projects including improvements to snopark facilities in Upper Kittitas County, improvements to the John Wayne trail and its support facilities, and improvements to facilities at Olallie state park.

An appropriation in the amount of $5,000,000 is provided from the general fund to the Department of Transportation Mountains to Sound Greenway Project account. The Department of Transportation (DOT) shall use these funds to acquire unprotected parcels that protect the visual characteristics at the interchange of I-90 and State Route 18 and to finish one of the gaps remaining in the 100 mile City-to-Mountains trail.

Appropriation: $15,000,000

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For: The Mountains to Sound Greenway provides a truly "northwest" feel to I-90 between Seattle and Eastern Washington. The effort to make the Greenway a valuable habitat and recreation corridor has been the subject of much volunteer work and cooperative efforts by public and private entities. The monies requested would help improve recreational trails and facilities and improve access to recreational opportunities along the Greenway.

Testimony Other: Although improving recreational opportunities along the Greenway is a great idea, the state General Fund is not the right source for doing so.

Who Testified: PRO: Jonathan Guzzo, Washington Trails Association; Dan McDonald and Bill Chapman, Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust.

OTHER: Fred Romero, State Parks.