BILL REQ. #:  S-5149.1 

READ FIRST TIME 02/06/08.   

     AN ACT Relating to establishing a work group to make recommendations for improving recreation on state trust lands, aquatic lands, and other state-owned lands managed by the department of natural resources; and creating new sections.

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

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 1   (1) The legislature finds that recreational opportunities are instrumental in promoting human health and well-being and are part of the heritage of Washington state. State trust lands, aquatic lands, and other state-owned lands managed by the department of natural resources provide significant recreational opportunities, along with other social, economic, and environmental benefits. Lands managed by the department of natural resources provide, among other values:
     (a) Renewable energy resources;
     (b) Sustainable revenue for school construction, local governments, and other state institutions;
     (c) Recreational and educational opportunities;
     (d) Habitat for fish and wildlife;
     (e) Clean air and water; and
     (f) Funding for restoration and public access to state-owned aquatic lands.
     (2) The legislature further finds that the state's population has nearly doubled from three million four hundred thousand to six million five hundred thousand since the multiple use concept was adopted under chapter 79.10 RCW, and is projected to increase by another two million two hundred thousand by 2030. Population growth has increased demand for recreational access and presents current and future challenges that must be addressed, such as: Increasing potential for conflict with adjacent and nearby land uses, including residential land uses; new forms of trail-based recreation that compete with traditional uses; the rapid increase of motorized and mechanized recreation; changes in ownership patterns of large land holdings across the state; the incompatibility of certain human activities with environmental protections for endangered species, clean water, clean air, climate impacting emissions, and habitat; and increased competition for funding.
     (3) The legislature further finds that efforts by the department of natural resources to consolidate state trust lands will provide more opportunities for citizens to access larger blocks of state-owned lands. Therefore, it is prudent to reexamine the policies for recreational access on state-owned lands and establish a vision for the future with recommended policy improvements that are:
     (a) Environmentally responsible;
     (b) Sustainably funded; and
     (c) Compatible with trust land and state land management obligations.

NEW SECTION.  Sec. 2   (1) A work group is established to make recommendations to improve recreation on state trust lands, aquatic lands, and other state-owned lands managed by the department of natural resources.
     (2) The work group's recommendations to improve recreation on state-owned lands must be compatible with adjacent and nearby land uses, including residential land uses. The work group shall examine relevant existing laws and rules and recommend policy changes and funding alternatives for consideration by the legislature to ensure safe, sustainable, and enjoyable recreational access. In conducting this work, the work group must consider: The legal obligations for trusts, aquatic lands, and natural areas; consistency with environmental standards needed to protect lands and natural systems; and related work group recommendations such as the Puget Sound action agenda defined in chapter 90.71 RCW, the Washington biodiversity strategy created in executive order 04-02, and the invasive species council recommendations defined in chapter 79A.25 RCW. The work group must provide recommendations on ways to coordinate trail maintenance work with volunteer organizations on state-owned lands.
     (3) The work group is comprised of a balanced representation of individuals with recreational interests and knowledge regarding specific regions of the state. The work group must consist of no more than twenty-eight members appointed by the commissioner of public lands in consultation with the following entities:
     (a) Recreational associations and organizations;
     (b) Environmental protection associations and organizations;
     (c) Corporate and community leaders;
     (d) Major landowners;
     (e) Local governments;
     (f) Tribal governments;
     (g) The United States forest service;
     (h) The parks and recreation commission;
     (i) The recreation and conservation office;
     (j) The department of fish and wildlife;
     (k) State trust land beneficiaries;
     (l) State land leaseholders and contractors;
     (m) A representative of the governor, appointed by the governor; and
     (n) Members of the senate and house of representatives, as appointed by the legislature.
     (4) The commissioner of public lands, or the commissioner's designee, shall serve as chair, and the department of natural resources shall provide technical and staff support for the work group created by this section.
     (5) Work group members shall be compensated as provided in RCW 43.03.250 and shall receive reimbursement for travel expenses as provided by RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060. Costs associated with the work group must be paid by the department of natural resources from the general fund appropriation made available to the department of natural resources.
     (6) The work group shall conduct a minimum of two open public workshops to solicit input from key stakeholders, citizens, and local jurisdictions, at least one of which must be conducted in a location east of the crest of the Cascade mountain range.
     (7) The work group shall hold meetings, at diverse locations throughout the state, to gather input from key stakeholders, citizens, and local jurisdictions regarding the group's proposed recommendations.
     (8) The work group shall coordinate with the stakeholder recreational advisory committees appointed or established by the commissioner of public lands.
     (9) The commissioner of public lands shall submit to the appropriate standing committees of the legislature, no later than December 1, 2008, its findings and recommendations for legislation that is necessary to implement the work group's findings.