Brief Description: Concerning the management of public lands.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation (originally sponsored by Senators Parlette, Fraser and Rockefeller).

Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation
House Committee on Agriculture & Natural Resources

Background: The Interagency Committee for Outdoor Recreation (IAC) submitted a report to the Legislature in 2005. The report fulfilled the IAC's responsibilities under an act passed in 2004 that requires, among other things, that the IAC propose recommendations to the Legislature for a statewide strategy for coordination of land acquisitions by state agencies.

Summary: The habitat and recreation lands coordinating group (Group) is created. The Group must include representatives from the IAC, the State Parks and Recreation Commission, the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Fish and Wildlife. Representatives of appropriate stakeholder organizations and local government must also be considered for participation in the Group, and invited to participate by the Director of the IAC.

The Group must address nine specific tasks that implement the recommendations of the 2005 report. The tasks focus on agency land acquisition and disposal plans and policies to ensure statewide coordination of habitat and recreation land acquisitions and disposals. The direction of the tasks is toward achieving best practices for inclusion, transparency, coordination, cost savings and communication. The Director of the IAC must submit yearly progress reports to the Office of Financial Management.

The Group must consider two options for centralizing coordination of habitat and recreation land acquisition made with federal funds.

The Group's authority expires in 2012, with a recommendation to the Legislature required prior to expiration for improvements to the enabling legislation.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate      46   0
House      96   1   (House amended)
Senate      49   0   (Senate concurred)

Effective:   July 22, 2007