Finds that the purpose of RCW 36.87.130 is to preserve for the public, for recreational or other purposes, existing access to bodies of salt or fresh water. Counties have no discretion regarding vacating all or part of a dedicated right of way regardless of whether it provides public access to a body of water. Therefore, certain rights of way encumber private property while not providing any existing public access to a body of water.

Declares an intent to enhance the ability of counties to balance the need to protect and preserve existing public access to bodies of water while providing counties the ability to vacate rights of way so long as doing so does not undermine or eliminate such access.