Washington State
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research		 BILL
ANALYSIS
Agriculture & Natural Resources Committee

HB 1123

This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent.

Brief Description: Clarifying the authority of the department of natural resources with respect to certain aquatic lands.

Sponsors: Representatives Strow, VanDeWege, Kagi, B. Sullivan, Eickmeyer, McCoy, Orcutt and Hailey.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Authorizes the Department of Natural Resources to issue aquatic land use authorizations less than a full lease, such as easements, licenses, permits, and rights-of-entry.
  • Eliminates reference to federal pierhead lines in describing the area of federal regulatory authority in waterways.

Hearing Date: 1/18/07

Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).

Background:

Leasing Authority

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized to manage and lease aquatic lands [RCW 79.105.010]. Leases must be in conformity with all applicable laws and the State Constitution [RCW 79.105.210].

A July 2006 court decision (Northlake v. DNR, 134 Wash.App 272) found that the DNR's leasing authority did not explicitly include lesser use authorizations, such as easements, licenses, permits, and rights-of-entry. Some of the DNR authorization statutes include lease language while others include language for lesser agreement types. The court decided this separation meant that since the lesser agreement types were not included in the section on leasing aquatic lands, they were not authorized. However, the court did state that the DNR has been granted authority to manage state aquatic lands and has authority to issue use permits, generally.

Permits in Waterways

Federal pierhead lines were established by the Secretary of the Army to protect harbors. A pierhead line is the authorized waterward limit of any in-water structure such as docks, piers, gangways, ramps, groins, jetties or any other structure projecting from the shoreline. The federal waterways are maintained by the Army Corps of Engineers under the Rivers and Harbors Acts. Regardless of pierhead lines, any plans to build in or modify waterways must receive a permit by the Army Corps of Engineers [33 USC 403].

In addition to the permit given by the federal government, all plans must be permitted by the DNR. The permit given by the DNR determines all the terms and conditions of the project and can be for no longer than 30 years [RCW 79.120.040].

Summary of Bill:

The DNR is given express authority to issue lesser contractual arrangements, such as easements, licenses, permits and rights-of-entry on leased, state-owned aquatic lands.

In state waterways, the jurisdiction of the United States federal government over navigable waters is described without referring to pierhead lines. The DNR may cancel any permit after 60 days' notice if a waterway is required for public highway purposes.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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