H-1844 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL NO. 1027
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C 126 L 87
State of Washington 50th Legislature 1987 Regular Session
By Representatives Amondson, Holm, Sutherland, Vekich, Rasmussen, Jesernig, Meyers, Hargrove, Basich, McMullen, Fisch, Bristow, Betrozoff, Ballard, D. Sommers, May, Fuhrman, S. Wilson, McLean, Miller, J. Williams, Winsley, Silver, P. King, Cooper, Doty and L. Smith
Read first time 2/20/87 and referred to Committee on Natural Resources.
AN ACT Relating to the sale of damaged timber from state lands; adding new sections to chapter 79.01 RCW; and declaring an emergency.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 79.01 RCW to read as follows:
From time to time timber on state land is damaged by events such as fire, wind storms, and flooding. After such events the timber becomes very susceptible to loss of value and quality due to rot and disease. To obtain maximum value for the state, it is important to sell any damaged timber as fast as possible while providing ample protection for the physical environment and recognizing the sensitivity of removing timber from certain locations.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A new section is added to chapter 79.01 RCW to read as follows:
When the department finds timber on state land that is damaged by fire, wind, flood, or from any other cause, it shall determine if the sale of the damaged timber is in the best interest of the trust for which the land is held. If selling the timber is in the best interest of the trust, the department shall proceed to offer the timber for sale within a period not to exceed seven months from the date of first identifying the damaged timber. In determining if the sale is in the best interest of the trust the department shall consider the net value of the timber and relevant elements of the physical and social environment. If selling the timber is not in the best interest of the trust, the department shall not offer it for sale until such time as in the department's determination it is in the trust's best interest.
If elements of the physical or social environment extend the time required to prepare the timber for sale beyond seven months from the date of first identifying the damaged timber, the department shall prepare the timber for sale at the earliest time practicable.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, and safety, the support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and shall take effect immediately.