SENATE BILL REPORT

HB 1290

BYRepresentatives K. Wilson and Beck

Establishing a new geographic coordinate system for Washington.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Senate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources

Senate Hearing Date(s):March 16, 1989; March 21, 1989

Majority Report:  Do pass.

      Signed by Senators Metcalf, Chairman; Amondson, Vice Chairman; Barr, Bauer, Kreidler, Patterson, Sutherland.

Senate Staff:Vic Moon (786-7469)

                  March 21, 1989

AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT & NATURAL RESOURCES, MARCH 21, 1989

BACKGROUND:

The Department of Natural Resources is required to provide a reference system to identify and preserve survey points.  These survey points are widely used in surveying and map production.  This reference system is known as the Washington Coordinate System.

In 1945, Washington adopted, as the Washington Coordinate System, a federal reference system supported and maintained by the National Geodetic Survey.  This system is known as the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD27).

Using NAD27, the Washington Coordinate System provides a common language for identifying location coordinates that are expressed in terms of an "x" value (an east-west direction) and a "y" value (a north-south direction).  The system requires that reference points be expressed in feet.  These values expressed in feet can then be entered into a computer data base and can be shared with anyone who chooses to use the coordinate system (the use of the Washington Coordinate System by mappers and surveyors in Washington is not mandatory).

A new reference system, known as NAD83, has been developed to reflect improved technology and accuracy.  The federal government is now using NAD83, and the National Geodetic Survey will continue to support and maintain this system.

As of January 1987, 20 states have adopted NAD83, with 11 other states preparing legislation for adoption.

SUMMARY:

Until 1990, persons choosing to use the Washington Coordinate System may use either NAD27 or its successor, NAD83.  Thereafter, persons choosing to use the system will be required to use NAD83.

Location coordinates used in the NAD83 system must be expressed in meters.

Appropriation:    none

Revenue:    none

Fiscal Note:      none requested

Senate Committee - Testified: Grant Fredericks, Department of Natural Resources (pro); Robert Kinneman, Department of Natural Resources (pro)