Finds that the state of Washington has an affirmative duty to protect, manage, and conserve public natural resources such as the state's animal and plant life, and must take this public trust into account when making decisions with respect to natural resource-related policies and actions.

Finds that while the state's general obligation is to act for the benefit of the public, the state's most fundamental specific obligation is to act as a trustee for all public natural resources. The principles cited in this act must be supported by every level of government and may not be abridged by any governmental action.