SENATE BILL REPORT

                   SB 5497

              As Passed Senate, February 12, 1999

Title:  An act relating to the use of dredge spoils on the LT‑1 and Cook Ferry Road Site in Cowlitz County.

Brief Description:  Regulating the use of dredge spoils in Cowlitz County.

Sponsors:  Senators Snyder and Zarelli.

Brief History:

Committee Activity:  Natural Resources, Parks & Recreation:  2/1/99, 2/3/99 [DP].

Passed Senate, 2/12/99, 47-0.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON NATURAL RESOURCES, PARKS & RECREATION

Majority Report:  Do pass.

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

Staff:  Victor Moon (786-7469)

Background:  The conveyance by the state of Washington of the Mount Saint Helens Recovery Program and Recoveries Dredge Spoil Sites to Cowlitz County was made in 1991.  The conveyance did not permit the use of funds from sales of dredge spoils on those sites to be used for recreational purposes in all areas of the county.

Summary of Bill:  The Legislature declares that the state of Washington conveyance be amended to enable Cowlitz County to use dredge spoil revenues for recreational purposes throughout Cowlitz County.  The Department of Transportation must execute sufficient legal releases to accomplish that the dredge spoils may be dedicated for recreational facilities and recreational administration, and that any mining excavation must meet the requirements of the Shoreline Management Act.  The Department of Transportation must execute a legal release to provide that the sites be preserved as a long-term dredging facility.  The sites remain subject to agreements with the federal government and with the other provisions of the conveyance  between the state of Washington and Cowlitz County.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Requested on January 28, 1999.

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

Testimony For:  The present sites for dredge spoils need to be maintained and funds from sales should be used on recreation programs throughout the county.

Testimony Against:  None.

Testified:  Jeff Rasmussen, Commissioner of Cowlitz County (pro); James Ward, Washington Department of Transportation (pro).