HOUSE BILL REPORT

HB 1654

BYRepresentatives Valle, Prince, Ebersole, Hine, Crane, P. King, Locke, Phillips, Jacobsen, Pruitt, Scott, Heavey, Fraser, Winsley, Cole, K. Wilson, H. Sommers,  Appelwick, Brekke, Anderson, R. King, Hargrove, Sprenkle, Jones, Dellwo, Wang, Nutley, Sayan, Wineberry, Rust, Nelson and Leonard

Providing funds to purchase the William O. Douglas property at Goose Prairie.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (8)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair;K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson, R. Fisher and Raiter.

Minority Report:  Do not pass.  (1)

      Signed by Representative Fuhrman

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

FEBRUARY 17, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Fifty years ago, President Roosevelt nominated William O. Douglas to serve on the nation's Supreme Court.  As a member of the Supreme Court, Justice Douglas became known as an individual concerned with individual rights, humanitarian issues, and conservation of important resources.

In 1965, Justice Douglas had a cabin built in Goose Prairie, in a long valley east of Mt. Rainier just off Highway 410, about a one hour drive west of Yakima.  The cabin lies on eight acres of land and adjoins the William O. Douglas Wilderness Area, itself abutting Mt. Rainier National Park.

During 1988, the Douglas property and an adjoining six acre parcel became available.  Discussions to date center upon a group of purchasers obtaining the properties.  The preferred course of action is to have the state contribute $100,000 towards purchase and to have the balance come from federal and private sources.  The U.S. Forest Service would manage the properties.  Acquisition costs may total $400,000.

SUMMARY:

One hundred thousand dollars is appropriated from the general fund to acquire the William O. Douglas property in Goose Prairie.  The money may be spent only if private and federal parties pay the balance of the acquisition price.  Further, it is a condition of the expenditure that an entity other than the state will manage the property for the purpose of a public memorial to Justice Douglas.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Representative Valle; Tom France, State Parks and Recreation Commission.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Justice Douglas made a contribution to Washington history as the state's only representative to the Supreme Court and as a noted conservationist.  On the 50th anniversary of his appointment to the Supreme Court, it is appropriate to acquire a piece of property symbolic of him.

Private parties stand prepared to pay a portion of the acquisition costs of both the Douglas parcel and the adjoining properties.  Together the land would function as a federally managed learning center on topics appropriate to Justice Douglas.  The Congressional delegation will work to obtain financial support.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.