Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research	BILL ANALYSIS
Natural Resources Committee

SSB 6575

Brief Description:  Concerning the designation of certain lands as natural area preserves or natural resource conservation areas.

Sponsors:  Senate Committee on Natural Resources, Parks & Shorelines (originally sponsored by Senator Hargrove).

Brief Summary of Substitute Bill

$Directs the Department of Natural Resources to develop a management plan for each designated natural area preserve.

$Requires the inclusion of natural resource conservation areas within the natural heritage plan.

Hearing Date:  2/20/02

Staff:  Bill Lynch (786‑7092).

Background:

The state of Washington has two different natural resource conservation programs.  The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is authorized to acquire property for management as natural resource conservation areas and as natural area preserves.

Natural resource conservation areas are established for their outstanding scenic and ecological values, and allow for low‑impact public use.  The DNR is required to develop a management plan for each natural resource conservation area that identifies the significant resources to be conserved and the areas with potential for low‑impact public and environmental educational uses.  The DNR must make the plans available for public review and comment, including comment from state, tribal, and local agencies, before being adopted by the Commissioner of Public Lands.

Natural area preserves have more limited public access and are established in order to preserve the best remaining examples of Washington's native ecosystems.  The DNR is responsible for maintaining a state register of natural area preserves, maintaining a natural heritage program to assist in nominating and selecting areas for this designation, and for preparing a natural heritage plan to create and manage the system of natural areas.  The Natural Heritage Advisory Council assists the DNR by reviewing and approving the natural heritage plan, and reviewing and approving nominations for registration of lands as natural area preserves.

Summary of Bill:

The Department of Natural Resources is directed to develop a management plan for each designated natural area preserve.  The plan must identify the significant resources to be conserved and the areas with potential for low‑impact public and environmental educational uses.  The DNR must make the plans available for public review and comment, including comment from state, tribal, and local agencies, before being adopted by the Commissioner of Public Lands.  Where it is appropriate, a buffer zone may be established around an environmentally sensitive area with an increased low level of public access.

The natural heritage plan must include natural resource conservation areas in addition to natural area preserves.  The Natural Heritage Advisory Council is required to recommend whether new areas should be established as natural area preserves, natural resources conservation areas, a combination of both, or some other protected status.  The council is also directed to comment on management plans proposed for individual natural area preserves.

Appropriation:  None.

Fiscal Note:  Available.

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