SENATE BILL REPORT

SHB 1098

BYHouse Committee on Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Representatives Haugen, S. Wilson, Jacobsen and Beck)

Requiring an agreement with the federal government for the exchange of certain tidelands on the Olympic peninsula.

House Committe on Natural Resources

Senate Committee on Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 30, 1987; April 1, 1987

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.

      Signed by Senators Owen, Chairman; Barr, Craswell, McDonald, Metcalf, Stratton.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  April 2, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, APRIL 1, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Keystone Spit, on Whidbey Island, lies immediately east of the ferry terminal at Keystone near the Fort Casey State Park.  The privately-owned spit includes 1.3 miles of no-bank waterfront on the western shores of the island.  The property also abuts Crockett Lake, a marshy tidal area used by Seattle Pacific University for classroom purposes.

Owners of the spit want to sell the property.  Currently, the property is subdivided, but has not been developed.  It has an assessed value of $1.5 million.

The National Park Service manages the nearby Fort Ebey National Historical Reserve.  It identified the spit as fourth out of 18 in importance for acquisition under their "preservation priorities."

In 1967 the Legislature created the Seashore Conservation Area (SCA) which includes property along the western part of the Olympic Peninsula.  The State Parks and Recreation Commission manages the area.  The purpose of the SCA is to preserve the coastline for public outdoor recreation.

SUMMARY:

The Parks and Recreation Commission shall enter into a land exchange with the federal government if the federal government acquires a parcel of land known as the Keystone Spit on Whidbey Island.  The Parks and Recreation Commission will exchange with the federal government state-owned tidelands adjacent to the Olympic National Park, excluding tidelands within the boundaries of Indian reservations.

In making the exchange, the state waives any requirement that the exchanged parcels be of equal value, and that the Parks and Recreation Commission approve the exchange.

Any conveyance document shall specify that clam digging and fishing will continue on the tidelands.

Authority for the exchange expires July 31, 1988.

SUMMARY OF PROPOSED SENATE AMENDMENT:

The exchange will include the mineral rights.  The Department of Natural Resources shall transfer the tidelands by quit claim deed to the Parks and Recreation Commission to facilitate the exchange if the exchange is agreed to by the Commission and the federal government.  The conveyance shall include provisions that the National Parks Service will consult with the Parks and Recreation Commission on the adoption of any federal rules or changes in management policy relating to the tidelands, and will endeavor to accommodate the state's interests.

Fiscal Note:      available

Senate Committee - Testified: Representative Mary Margaret Haugen, original sponsor; Craig Partridge, Department of Natural Resources; Yvonne Ferrell, State Parks; Doug Marsh; Ken Pickard, Friends of Ebey