FINAL BILL REPORT

SSB 6363

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.

C 34 L 16

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the design and construction of certain transportation facilities adjacent to or across a river or waterway.

Sponsors: Senate Committee on Transportation (originally sponsored by Senators Takko, Ericksen, Hobbs and Parlette).

Senate Committee on Transportation

House Committee on Transportation

Background: Under current law, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is not required to consider or report on the feasibility of providing a means of public access to a navigable river or waterway for public recreation purposes during the design process for state highway projects that include the construction of a new bridge or reconstruction of an existing bridge that is adjacent to or crosses a waterway.

Projects that are required to document the environmental impacts of the projects under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) may be required to consider public access as part of the required environmental assessment or environmental impact assessment analysis.

Summary: WSDOT must consider and report on the feasibility of providing a means of public access to waterways for public recreation purposes during the design process for state highway projects, other than limited access highways and ferry terminals, that include the construction of a new bridge or reconstruction of an existing bridge across a navigable river or waterway.

WSDOT must document in the feasibility report whether proposed projects are in an area identified by state or local plans to be a priority for recreational access to waterways. WSDOT must coordinate with relevant state agencies or local agencies if the project is in an identified priority area.

WSDOT must not adversely impact any preexisting public access to a waterway, to the greatest extent practicable, when undertaking state highway projects, including major improvement projects.

Major improvement projects are defined.

Requirements of a consideration of feasibility are specified.

These requirements are not to be interpreted as to delay decision-making or approvals on projects, or limit WSDOT's entitlement to recreational immunity consistent with statute.

Votes on Final Passage:

Senate

49

0

House

58

39

Effective:

June 9, 2016