Title: An act relating to the preservation of historical state park resources.

Brief Description: Relating to the preservation of historical state park resources.

Sponsors: Senators Haugen and Jacobsen.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation: 1/24/07, 2/07/07 [DP-WM, DNP, w/oRec].

Ways & Means: 2/19/07.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, OCEAN & RECREATION

Majority Report: Do pass and be referred to Committee on Ways & Means.Signed by Senators Jacobsen, Chair; Rockefeller, Vice Chair; Fraser, Hargrove and Spanel.

Minority Report: Do not pass.Signed by Senator Stevens.

Minority Report: That it be referred without recommendation.Signed by Senators Morton, Ranking Minority Member and Swecker.

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

SENATE COMMITTEE ON WAYS & MEANS

Staff: Kirstan Arestad (786-7708)

Background: The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) acquires, operates, enhances, and protects a system of recreational, cultural, historical, and natural sites. Currently, the state park system includes 120 developed parks and recreation programs that include trails, boating safety, and winter recreation.

The Legislature has directed the Commission to care for and supervise those areas set aside by the state for park purposes. The Commission must acquire and manage parks to:

• maintain and enhance ecological, aesthetic, and recreational purposes;
• preserve and maintain mature and old-growth forests;
• protect cultural and historic resources, locations, and artifacts;
• provide a variety of recreational opportunities to the public;
• preserve and maintain plant and animal habitat; and
• encourage public participation in park policy and program development.

The Commission has a policy for cultural resources under its care that calls for appropriate programs of training, research, treatment, protection, and interpretation. Historic properties, sites, and objects are included in this Commission policy.

Summary of Bill: Current law directs the Commission to protect historic resources, locations, and artifacts. In order to ensure the protection of these historic resources, the bill directs the Commission to:

• hold the duty to preserve historic resources as co-equal with other park purposes;
• maintain an inventory of historic park resources;
• provide historic preservation training to employees involved in the management,

      care, or administration of historic resources; and

• give due consideration to historic preservation needs when making biennial budget       requests.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 12, 2007.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): PRO: As the state moves into the future, it is important to preserve historical resources that tell us about the past. Washington is a relatively new state, but we need to focus on preserving our historical resources.

OTHER: The Parks and Recreation Commission is currently putting great effort into historical preservation and training its employees on preservation issues.

Persons Testifying (Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation): PRO: Senator Haugen, prime sponsor.

OTHER: Fred Romero, Parks and Recreation Commission.

Staff Summary of Public Testimony (Ways & Means): PRO: This bill puts a higher status on preserving our historic structures and provides State Park employees training on historic preservation.

Persons Testifying (Ways & Means): PRO: Senator Haugen, prime sponsor.