S-4652

AN ACT Relating to parks and recreation in the west slope of the Cascade foothills; creating new sections; providing an effective date; and declaring an emergency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:

NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the population of the Puget Sound region will grow by more than a million and a half by 2020, and that current and new residents will seek greater opportunities for outdoor recreation within a reasonable distance from their homes. Changing demographics, healthier and more active lifestyles, and improvements in recreation technology will all lead to growing public demand for areas and facilities in which to recreate. The west slope Cascade foothills, from the international border south through Thurston county, provide a wealth of existing and potential outdoor recreation areas that are close to the great majority of the urbanized areas of Puget Sound. Within this area are many public lands, including state park units, that may provide the nucleus for a network of lands accessible for diverse recreational uses by people of all ages, physical capacities, and recreational preferences.

The legislature further finds that the Cascade foothills are home to many permanent residents who benefit from the natural resource and lifestyle amenities of the foothills, and that expanding recreational opportunities in the foothills must be consistent with the long-term sustainability of the local economies. The west slope Cascade foothills also are an integral part of the "mountains to sound" region and provide significant benefits to the entire region, including watershed protection, wildlife habitat, flood damage reduction, and scenic values. A review of outdoor recreational needs and opportunities in the foothills should include consideration of these benefits and the need for protection of these functions and values.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) As used in this section and section 1 of this act, "Cascade foothills," "west slope Cascade foothills," and "Cascade foothills area" means the generally nonurbanized area within the Cascade mountain range and drainages lying between three hundred and three thousand feet above mean sea level, and located within the counties of Whatcom, Skagit, Snohomish, King, Pierce, and Thurston. Lands lying at lower elevations that are in the immediate vicinity of the foothills area, such as lower drainages, are also included within this term. These lands include public lands that are devoted to developed, nonrecreational uses. This definition is provided solely to guide the parks and recreation commission in the geographic scope of its study responsibilities and confers no authority upon any entity other than the commission for the study purposes of this section.

(2) The Washington state parks and recreation commission shall review and make recommendations to the legislature and governor on the existing and future outdoor recreational needs and opportunities in the west slope Cascade foothills, recognizing the important functions and values that are provided by these lands. These include wildlife habitat, watershed protection, flood damage protection, scenic enjoyment, and economic uses, as well as the means by which more effective use of existing public lands in the foothills, assisted by willing private providers of outdoor recreation facilities, may serve to meet these needs. To this end the study should include:

(a) An assessment of the existing and the twenty-year growth projection for recreational demand of the population residing within one-hour driving time from the Cascade foothills. This assessment shall include the types of recreational uses anticipated, demographic projections of recreational users, and developed facilities needed to serve such uses;

(b) An inventory of existing facilities and lands accessible for recreational use within the Cascade foothills;

(c) A review of existing local, regional, state, federal, private, and nongovernmental nonprofit entities providing outdoor recreation opportunities within the Cascade foothills and their coordination in meeting public outdoor recreation demand, as well as the role of public education of recreational users to avoid land damage;

(d) A review of state lands within the Cascade foothills that may be managed principally or in part for outdoor recreation uses as a unit of a Cascade foothills state park, and recommendations for transitioning to such management;

(e) A compilation of materials, obtained at no cost by the commission from other government agencies and private entities, of existing wildlife and conservation functions and values, which could be used in future evaluations of the compatibility of proposed recreational uses and activities;

(f) Recommendations for regional coordination among public and private outdoor recreation providers to promote expanded outdoor recreation opportunities within the Cascade foothills; and

(g) Methods to fund local, regional, and state outdoor recreation programs and facilities within the Cascade foothills.

(3) In conducting the study, the Washington state parks and recreation commission should consult with the counties and cities within the Cascade foothills area, with other public and private land managers providing outdoor recreation opportunities to the public, and with organizations having an interest in the management, conservation, and use of public lands in the Cascade foothills.

(4) The Washington state parks and recreation commission may accept contributions of funds or services to assist in conducting the study.

(5) The Washington state parks and recreation commission shall provide its report and recommendations to the governor and the parks committees of the senate and house of representatives no later than December 15, 2000.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. This act is necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health, or safety, or support of the state government and its existing public institutions, and takes effect April 15, 2000.