SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5054

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.

As of January 23, 2013

Title: An act relating to establishing a process for the acquisition of habitat and recreation lands by the state.

Brief Description: Establishing a process for the acquisition of habitat and recreation lands by the state.

Sponsors: Senators Honeyford, Smith, Schoesler, Benton, Pearson, Ericksen and Hewitt.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Natural Resources & Parks: 1/22/13.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Staff: Curt Gavigan (786-7437)

Background: Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lands. DNR manages a number of different categories of land, each for a specific purpose and under different management requirements. These include approximately three million acres of federally granted lands and state forest lands, which DNR manages to support common schools, counties, and other public institutions. The agency manages over 50 natural area preserves (NAPs) that total approximately 37,000 acres. NAPs are managed to protect lands that have retained their natural character or are important in preserving rare or vanishing plants, animals, or other natural land features. Additionally, DNR manages 31 Natural Resource Conservation Areas (NRCAs) that total approximately 110,000 acres. NRCAs include lands identified as having high priority for conservation, natural systems, wildlife, and low-impact public use values.

Department of Fish and Wildlife (DFW) Lands. DFW manages approximately 900,000 acres of conservation and recreation lands which are divided into more than 30 wildlife areas. Additionally, the agency manages approximately 700 water access sites, which are usually one-to-five acres in size.

Washington State Parks (State Parks). The State Parks system includes almost 120 developed parks stretching across approximately 120,000 acres throughout the state.

Summary of Bill: Generally. DFW, DNR, and State Parks must provide a request to, and receive approval from, the Legislature prior to acquiring certain types of real property. Proposed acquisitions triggering the requirements include real property acquired for purposes of DFW wildlife areas and water access sites; DNR NAPs and NRCAs; and State Park lands generally.

Request for Real Property Acquisition. The agencies must submit a request for real property acquisition to the Legislature and Office of Financial Management. Major elements of the request include the following:

Legislative Authorization for the Acquisition. The agencies must receive specific authorization from the Legislature prior to acquiring the real property.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Available.

Committee/Commission/Task Force Created: No.

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

Staff Summary of Public Testimony: PRO: Much of eastern Washington is in public land ownership. There are concerns that agencies often have not planned well for purchases, including ensuring preparations to control weeds and pay PILT. This will also provide additional legislative oversight of the land acquisition process.

CON: The land acquisition process must take advantage of market opportunities, and this bill would impair that ability. The bill sets up a cumbersome process, and it will be difficult for the Legislature to process each individual transaction.

OTHER: State agencies hope to be a part of the discussion on this issue, and recommend using the Habitat and Recreation Lands Group as a forum to address these concerns. Much of the information desired here is already available through the budget process.

Persons Testifying: PRO: Senator Honeyford, prime sponsor; Josh Weiss, Assn. of Counties; Tom Davis, Washington Farm Bureau.

CON: Bill Clarke, Trust for Public Lands.

OTHER: Dave Brittell, DFW; Craig Partridge, DNR; Steve Hahn, State Parks; Bill Robinson, The Nature Conservancy.