SENATE BILL REPORT

                  SJM 8022

              As Reported By Senate Committee On:

          Natural Resources & Parks, February 5, 1998

Brief Description:  Urging legislation facilitating forest land exchange.

Sponsors:  Senators Rossi, Benton, Oke, Jacobsen, Prentice, T. Sheldon, Finkbeiner, Hochstatter and Stevens.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources & Parks:  2/3/98, 2/5/98 [DPS].

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES & PARKS

Majority Report:  That Substitute Senate Joint Memorial No. 8022 be substituted therefor, and the substitute memorial do pass.

  Signed by Senators Oke, Chair; Rossi, Vice Chair; Hargrove, Jacobsen, Morton, Snyder, Spanel, Stevens and Swecker.

Staff:  Vic Moon (786-7469)

Background:  With the growing demand and attendant impacts on the environment, the federal government is considering restrictions on public access to popular recreational sites in Washington=s central Cascade mountains.  At the present time, Plum Creek Timber Company and the federal Forest Service are trying to exchange forest lands which are owned in a Acheckerboard@ pattern to facilitate blocking up both timber lands and to improve the recreational and environmental values of existing areas near the Alpine Lakes wilderness area.

The Plum Creek Timber Company and the federal government are completing an environmental impact statement for the exchange of private and public lands to provide easier timber management and to allow the Alpine Lakes wilderness area to be protected.

Summary of Substitute Bill:  The government of the United States and Plum Creek are encouraged to complete the exchange as soon as possible in order to reduce the potential of loss of public benefits if the exchange is protracted and to maximize public benefits.

Substitute Bill Compared to Original Bill:  Technical changes are made.

. 

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Not requested.

Effective Date:  Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.

Testimony For:  This is one of the most complex land trades in the state=s history and is very important for recreation, environmental protection, scenic protection and good timber management.  Very substantial public and private benefits will result from the exchange.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  PRO:  Steve Gano, Bill Brown, Plum Creek; Karl Denison, Everett White, USDA Forest Service; Chris Magill, Kitsap Audubon Association.