FINAL BILL REPORT

HB 2225

C 43 L 14

Synopsis as Enacted

Brief Description: Concerning the Milwaukee Road corridor.

Sponsors: Representatives Manweller, Senn, Magendanz, Fey, Tharinger, Fitzgibbon and Roberts; by request of Parks and Recreation Commission.

House Committee on Environment

Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Parks

Background:

Milwaukee Road Corridor History.

The Milwaukee Road corridor, also known as the Iron Horse State Park and John Wayne Pioneer Trail, is a 213-mile recreational trail stretching from the eastern outskirts of Seattle to the Idaho border. In 1981 Washington purchased the corridor from the Milwaukee Railroad Company and converted it to a recreational trail. The management authority over a section of the corridor referred to as the Iron Horse State Park, along with adjacent sidings used as camping and climbing areas, was transferred from the Department of Natural Resources to the State Parks and Recreation Commission (State Parks) in 1984.

Besides the Milwaukee Road corridor, State Parks manages four other Washington rails-to-trails. State Parks defines rail trails as nontraditional park lands due to the different attributes and management conditions. State Parks nontraditional park land management policy is to be more flexible in permitting nonrecreational uses, such as recognizing existing rights or allowing occasional motorized vehicle use, than in managing other state parks.

Milwaukee Road Corridor Management Provisions.

State Parks has both mandatory and discretionary duties in managing the Milwaukee Road Corridor. State Parks must:

• close the corridor to hunting;

• exclude motorized vehicles except for emergency vehicles and those necessary for maintenance and utility lines;

• comply with the corridor's deed;

• control weeds;

• clean and maintain culverts; and

• identify opportunities and encourage volunteer work, private contributions, and support to maintain the recreational trail.

In addition, State Parks may do the following:

• enter into agreements to allow realignment or modification of public roads, farm crossings, water conveyance facilities, and other utility crossings;

• regulate and restrict uses;

• place hazard warning signs and close hazardous structures;

• renegotiate deed restrictions;

• approve and process the sale or exchange of lands or easements if it does not adversely affect the recreational purpose; and

• issue permits that regulate access to certain portions of the trail.

Summary:

State Parks must manage the Milwaukee Road corridor in the same manner as the other recreational trails under its jurisdiction. The statutes establishing management requirements specific to the Milwaukee Road corridor are repealed.

Votes on Final Passage: