SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5434

BYSenators Kiskaddon, Kreidler and Lee

Authorizing an ocean beach management program.

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 19, 1987; March 3, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5434 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Bluechel, Kiskaddon.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senators Rinehart, Hansen.

Senate Staff:Rick Anderson (786-7717)

                  March 3, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, MARCH 3, 1987

BACKGROUND:

Certain portions of the state's ocean beaches are currently designated as public highways.  In 1967 the Legislature passed the Seashore Conservation Act which called for reasonable regulations for the use and control of vehicular traffic on and along the ocean beach highways. 

In 1972 the Parks and Recreation Commission adopted regulations to temporarily close portions of the ocean beaches to vehicular traffic.  In 1976 the Commission adopted regulations to permanently close portions of the ocean beaches to vehicles.

In 1980 the State Supreme Court ruled that the Commission did not have the authority to permanently close any portion of the ocean beaches to vehicular traffic. 

SUMMARY:

Those portions of the ocean beaches currently designated as public highways are redesignated as recreation and conservation areas.  Vehicular traffic shall be permitted on beaches subject to the ocean beach management program as developed by the Parks and Recreation Commission.

The Commission shall adopt beach traffic regulations after consulting with local elected officials and the Department of Fisheries.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

Ocean beaches will retain current designation as public highways.

Driving on beach dunes is not specifically addressed.

The Parks and Recreation Commission is to develop a management plan for each beach in conjunction with an advisory committee.

The Commission will submit results of the management plan and recommended legislation by December 15, 1988.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Senator DeJarnatt; Representative Basich; Virginia Leach, Long Beach Chamber of Commerce; Nabiel Shawa, City of Long Beach; Stan Hill, Stan's Chevron; Charles Chambers, Black Hills Audubon Society; Chris Platt, Sierra Club; Bill Crossman, Pacific County Commissioner; Bob Paylor, Grays Harbor County Commissioner; Robert Olander, City of Ocean Shores; Bruce Wishart; Rick Jensen, Washington State Patrol; Larry Connelly, Washington Coast Chamber; Rich Poelker, Department of Game; Yvonne Ferrell, State Parks;