SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 5729

BYSenators Bluechel, Bender, Kreidler and Vognild

Changing definition of the Milwaukee road corridor.

Senate Committee on Parks & Ecology

Senate Hearing Date(s):February 17, 1987; February 25, 1987

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5729 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.

      Signed by Senators Kreidler, Chairman; Bluechel, Kiskaddon.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.

      Signed by Senator Hansen.

Senate Staff:Gary Wilburn (786-7453)

                  February 25, 1987

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON PARKS & ECOLOGY, FEBRUARY 25, 1987

BACKGROUND:

In 1981 and 1982 the state of Washington acquired 213 miles of railroad right from the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul and Pacific Railroad (Milwaukee Road) between the town of Easton and the Washington-Idaho state line.  In 1984 the Legislature transferred ownership and control of approximately 25 miles of the Milwaukee Road right of way from management by the Department of Natural Resources to the State Parks and Recreation Commission.  The remaining 188 miles of the Milwaukee Road right of way is managed by the Department of Natural Resources and can be used for trail purposes by obtaining a special use permit from the Department of Natural Resources.  The Department of Natural Resources is also given authority to lease portions of the right of way to adjacent land owners.  The portion of the right of way managed by the State Parks and Recreation Commission is managed as a recreational trail.

SUMMARY:

Management of that portion of the Milwaukee Road corridor between the western end of tunnel 47 and the eastern edge of the Columbia River is transferred to the State Park and Recreation Commission.  Management of that portion would be pursuant to existing authority of the Commission regarding the Milwaukee Road corridor.

EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:

The easterly boundary of the portion to be transferred to the Parks and Recreation Commission is extended to 2,200 feet east of the east end of the bridge structure across the Columbia River.  The Commission may limit recreational access by permit to the portion from Ellensburg to the east end of the portion under Commission control.

Fiscal Note:      requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Walter H. Olsen, Rails to Trails; Walt Farrar, John Wayne Pioneer Wagons and Riders; Chic Hollenbeck, Gail Farrar, Jean Gillmer, Rails to Trails and Tahoma Audubon Society; Ken Wilcox, Backcountry Horsemen of Washington; Marlyta Deck, Washington Cattlemen's Association, Washington Women for Survival of Agriculture, Washington Women in Farm Economics; Mike Reed, Parks and Recreation; Donna Nylander, Dick Welsh, Jack Price, Washington Outfitters and Guides; John Hobbs, Backcountry Horsemen, John Wayne Pioneer Wagons; Dana Heron, Todd Litman, Bicycle Federation of Washington; Ted Price, Stu Trefry, Washington State Grange