Subsection (2)(e) of this section shall not apply to port districts managing aquatic lands under a management agreement (WAC 332-30-114). State-owned aquatic lands include approximately 1,300 miles of tidelands, 6,700 acres of constitutionally established harbor areas and all of the submerged land below extreme low tide which amounts to some 2,000 square miles of marine beds of navigable waters and an undetermined amount of fresh water shoreland and bed. These lands are managed as a public trust and provide a rich land base for a variety of recreational, economic and natural process activities. Management concepts, philosophies, and programs for state-owned aquatic lands should be consistent with this responsibility to the public.

These lands are "a finite natural resource of great value and an irreplaceable public heritage" and will be managed to "provide a balance of public benefits for all citizens of the state." (RCW 79.105.010, 79.105.020, and 79.105.030)

(1) Management goals. Management of state-owned aquatic lands will strive to:

(a) Foster water-dependent uses;

(b) Ensure environmental protection;

(c) Encourage direct public use and access;

(d) Promote production on a continuing basis of renewable resources;

(e) Allow suitable state aquatic lands to be used for mineral and material production; and

(f) Generate income from use of aquatic lands in a manner consistent with the above goals.

(2) Management methods. To achieve the above, state-owned aquatic lands will be managed particularly to promote uses and protect resources of statewide value.

(a) Planning will be used to prevent conflicts and mitigate adverse effects of proposed activities involving resources and aquatic land uses of statewide value. Mitigation shall be provided for as set forth in WAC 332-30-107(6).

(b) Areas having unique suitability for uses of statewide value or containing resources of statewide value may be managed for these special purposes. Harbor areas and scientific reserves are examples. Unique use requirements or priorities for these areas may supersede the need for mitigation.

(c) Special management programs may be developed for those resources and activities having statewide value. Based on the needs of each case, programs may prescribe special management procedures or standards such as lease auctions, resource inventory, shorter lease terms, use preferences, operating requirements, bonding, or environmental protection standards.

(d) Water-dependent uses shall be given a preferential lease rate in accordance with RCW 79.105.240. Fees for nonwater-dependent aquatic land uses will be based on fair market value.

(e) Research and development may be conducted to enhance production of renewable resources.