BILL REQ. #:  S-0539.1 

Read first time 01/12/2007.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to metal detectors in state parks; adding new sections to chapter 79A.05 RCW; and creating a new section.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   It is the intent of the legislature that those significant historic archaeological resources on state park lands that are of importance to the history of our state, or its communities, be protected for the people of the state. At the same time, the legislature also recognizes that the recreational use of metal detectors in state parks is a legitimate form of recreation that can be compatible with the protection of significant historic archaeological resources.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   A new section is added to chapter 79A.05 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) By September 1, 2008, the commission shall open all developed and disturbed areas of state parks for the recreational use of metal detectors. Developed and disturbed areas are further defined as campgrounds, parking areas, boat launches, and similar areas that have been subject to capital development or future capital development by state parks, that would not retain any archaeological information, and that have been verified by the department of archaeology and historic preservation.
     (2) The legislature directs that on state park lands, historic archaeological resources, as defined in RCW 27.53.030, be managed in such a way that the integrity of those properties not be diminished. Metal detectors may be used on state park lands that do not meet the definition of historic archaeological resources.
     (3) All federal lands leased to state parks are exempt from metal detecting.
     (4) Any items discovered of historic archaeological significance must be turned in to the state through the commission.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 3   A new section is added to chapter 79A.05 RCW to read as follows:
     (1) If the commission determines that all developed or disturbed areas of a park must be exempted from metal detecting because of its historic archaeological resources, the commission must, by December 1, 2008, submit a brief report to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature as to how they and a professional archaeologist made this determination.
     (2) It is the intent of this section to not allow blanket exemptions but to ensure the preservation for the public of proven historic archaeological resources.