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

HB 1712

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: Planning for future impacts at Saint Edward state park.

Sponsors: Representatives Chase, B. Sullivan, Kagi, Kessler, O'Brien and Lantz.

Brief Summary of Bill
  • Requires the State Parks and Recreation Commission to complete an in-depth review and a full plan to address the future impacts to Saint Edward State Park arising from the expansion of Bastyr University.

Hearing Date: 1/31/07

Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).

Background:

Bastyr University (the University) is a non-profit, private university located north of Seattle. The University offers both graduate and undergraduate programs including naturopathic medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine, nutrition, health psychology, exercise science and herbal sciences. The University began in 1978 and is now the largest natural health care facility in Washington. In 2003, it published its 25-year campus master plan to prepare for anticipated future growth and development.

Saint Edward State Park (the Park) is a 316-acre day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater shoreline at the north end of Lake Washington in Kenmore. The Park is managed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission (the Commission).

The University and the Park share a border and a single point of entry. They both also share the same privately owned, interconnected sewer network.

Summary of Bill:

The Commission will conduct an in-depth review and prepare a full plan to address the immediate and long-term future impacts to the Park arising from the expansion of the University. Part of the review must consider the utility of a cost-sharing agreement between the Commission and the University in the implementation of the prepared plan. Before adopting the final documents relating to the review, the Commission will conduct at least one public hearing in a community near the Park.

The Commission will report to the Legislature on the results of the review by January 1, 2008.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Not requested.

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