HOUSE BILL REPORT
HB 1712
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in
their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a
statement of legislative intent.
As Reported by House Committee On:
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Title: An act relating to requiring the state parks and recreation commission to fully plan for potential future impacts at Saint Edward state park.
Brief Description: Planning for future impacts at Saint Edward state park.
Sponsors: Representatives Chase, B. Sullivan, Kagi, Kessler, O'Brien and Lantz.
Brief History:
Agriculture & Natural Resources: 1/31/07, 2/7/07 [DP].
Brief Summary of Bill |
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HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE & NATURAL RESOURCES
Majority Report: Do pass. Signed by 15 members: Representatives B. Sullivan, Chair; Blake, Vice Chair; Kretz, Ranking Minority Member; Warnick, Assistant Ranking Minority Member; Dickerson, Eickmeyer, Grant, Hailey, Kagi, Lantz, McCoy, Newhouse, Orcutt, Strow and VanDeWege.
Staff: Jaclyn Ford (786-7339).
Background:
Bastyr University (University) is a non-profit, private university located north of Seattle. The
University offers both graduate and undergraduate programs including naturopathic
medicine, acupuncture and Oriental medicine, nutrition, health psychology, exercise science
and herbal sciences. The University began in 1978 and is now the largest natural health care
facility in Washington. In 2003, it published its 25-year campus master plan to prepare for
anticipated future growth and development.
Saint Edward State Park (Park) is a 316-acre, day-use park with 3,000 feet of freshwater
shoreline at the north end of Lake Washington in Kenmore. The Park is managed by the
State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission).
The University and the Park share a border and a single point of entry. They also share the
same privately owned, interconnected sewer network.
Summary of Bill:
The Commission will conduct an in-depth review and prepare a full plan to address the
immediate and long-term future impacts to the Park arising from the expansion of the
University. Part of the review must consider the utility of a cost-sharing agreement between
the Commission and the University in the implementation of the prepared plan. Before
adopting the final documents relating to the review, the Commission will conduct at least one
public hearing in a community near the Park.
The Commission will report to the Legislature on the results of the review by January 1,
2008.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on February 1, 2007.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.
Staff Summary of Public Testimony:
(In support) The impact on increased traffic should be studied. Saint Edward State Park
(Park) does not have any environmental restrictions because a study of the topography has not
been conducted. Yet, the surrounding land is fragile, and the Park probably has that same
topography and needs to be protected. Bastyr University's expansion needs to be studied for
possible impacts on the Park.
(Opposed) None.
(Neutral) Half of the Park is classified as a natural area, the Commission's most restrictive
classification and thus is strictly protected. The Commission wishes the Park to remain a
state park, but the Commission will continue to work with Bastyr University. The
conversations that the Commission has with Bastyr University are comprehensive.
Persons Testifying: (In support) Ray Bennish and Ann Hurst, Citizens for Saint Edward.
(Neutral) Fred Romero, Washington State Parks.