HOUSE BILL REPORT

ESB 6839

BYSenator Barr

Providing for protection of the Kettle River.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended.  (11)

      Signed by Representatives Belcher, Chair; K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson, Fuhrman, Hargrove, H. Myers, Raiter and Sayan.

House Staff:Bill Koss (786-7129)

Rereferred House Committee on Appropriations

Majority Report:  Do pass as amended by Committee on Natural Resources & Parks.  (24)

      Signed by Representatives Locke, Chair; Grant, Vice Chair; H. Sommers, Vice Chair; Silver, Ranking Republican Member; Youngsman, Assistant Ranking Republican Member; Appelwick, Belcher, Bowman, Brekke, Brough, Dorn, Doty, Ferguson, Hine, Inslee, May, Nealey, Peery, Rust, Sayan, Spanel, Sprenkle, Valle and Wang.

Minority Report:  Without recommendation.  (1)

      Signed by Representative McLean.

House Staff:      Bill Koss (786-7129)

AS PASSED HOUSE FEBRUARY 28, 1990

BACKGROUND:

The Kettle River starts in Ferry County, flows north into Canada, then south to Lake Roosevelt.  As it flows south, it separates Ferry and Stevens Counties.  In 1988, the State Parks and Recreation Commission evaluated it as a candidate for the state scenic rivers program.  The commission considered the degree of public support and concern for specific rivers which were eligible for the scenic rivers program and concluded that the Kettle River should not be proposed for inclusion in the program.

SUMMARY:

Communities of the state are encouraged to join on a regional basis to implement the state's policy that rivers of the state which possess outstanding natural, scenic, historic, ecological, and recreational values of present and future benefit to the public shall be preserved in as natural condition as practical.

The commissioners of Ferry and Stevens Counties shall agree to adopt and implement a management program for lands on that section of the Kettle River flowing through or adjacent to those counties.  Upon request, the State Parks and Recreation Commission shall provide technical assistance in the development of the management program.  The counties shall submit an agreed upon program to the commission no later than January 1, 1991 for review and comment.

The costs to the counties for the establishment of the joint Kettle River management program shall be offset by a $30,000 appropriation from the general fund to the Parks and Recreation Commission.  The commission may retain 10 percent of the funds to offset administrative costs and costs associated with providing technical assistance.  The State Parks and Recreation Commission will provide comments on the draft program by March 31, 1991.  The counties shall adopt a final plan by June 30, 1991.

Appropriation:    The sum of $30,000 to the Parks and Recreation Commission.

Fiscal Note:      Available.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    (Natural Resources & Parks)  Senator Barr; Ken Rosenberg, Ferry/Stevens County; Ron Matney, citizen; John Douglas, Northwest Rivers Council; and Cleve Pinnex, State Parks and Recreation Commission.

(Appropriations)  No one.

House Committee - Testified Against:      (Natural Resources & Parks)  No one.

(Appropriations)  No one.

House Committee - Testimony For:    (Natural Resources & Parks)  The residents of Ferry and Stevens Counties recognize the quality of the Kettle River.  They want to see a river management plan prepared, but not under either the state scenic rivers program or the federal wild and scenic rivers program.

The State Parks and Recreation Commission supports the local government developing management plans for rivers.  Parks would like to have the opportunity to comment on the proposed plan and suggest an amendment to that effect.

The Northwest Rivers Council has concerns over the implementation and possible lack of follow-through after the counties adopt the plan.

(Appropriations)  None.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      (Natural Resources & Parks)  None.

(Appropriations)  None.