BILL REQ. #:  S-0536.1 

Read first time 01/12/2007.   Referred to Committee on Natural Resources, Ocean & Recreation.

     AN ACT Relating to the preservation of historical state park resources; and amending RCW 79A.05.305.

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

Sec. 1   RCW 79A.05.305 and 1984 c 82 s 2 are each amended to read as follows:
     The legislature declares that it is the continuing policy of the state of Washington to set aside and manage certain lands within the state for public park purposes. To comply with public park purposes, these lands shall be acquired and managed to:
     (1) Maintain and enhance ecological, aesthetic, and recreational purposes;
     (2) Preserve and maintain mature and old-growth forests containing trees of over ninety years and other unusual ecosystems as natural forests or natural areas, which may also be used for interpretive purposes;
     (3) Protect cultural and historical resources, locations, and artifacts, which may also be used for interpretive purposes. In order to ensure the protection of historic resources, locations, and artifacts, the commission shall: (a) Hold the duty to manage lands for the preservation of such resources as coequal with other public park purposes; (b) maintain an inventory of such resources managed by the commission; (c) provide historic preservation training to employees involved in the management, care, or administration of such resource; and (d) when making its biennial budget request, give due consideration to any funding necessary to ensure the protection of such resources;
     (4) Provide a variety of recreational opportunities to the public, including but not limited to use of developed recreation areas, trails, and natural areas;
     (5) Preserve and maintain habitat which will protect and promote endangered, threatened, and sensitive plants, and endangered, threatened, and sensitive animal species; and
     (6) Encourage public participation in the formulation and implementation of park policies and programs.