HOUSE BILL REPORT

SSB 5786

BYSenate Committee on Environment & Natural Resources (originally sponsored by Senators Owen and Nelson)

Relocating certain harbor lines.

House Committe on Natural Resources & Parks

Majority Report:  Do pass.  (9)

      Signed by Representatives K. Wilson, Vice Chair; Beck, Ranking Republican Member; Brumsickle, Dellwo, Ferguson,R. Fisher; Fuhrman; Hargrove and Sayan.

House Staff:Jean Kelley McElroy (786- 7196)

AS PASSED HOUSE APRIL 4, 1989

BACKGROUND:

Article XV of the Washington State Constitution requires the Legislature to provide for the appointment of a Harbor Line Commission to locate and establish harbor lines.  The harbor lines are to be located in navigable waters within one mile of cities having "harbors, bays, estuaries, or inlets." Harbor areas have been established at a number of cities; most are in Puget Sound.

The Board of Natural Resources acts as the Harbor Line Commission.  The Constitution provides that the harbor lines which are established by the commission may be changed, relocated, or re-established by the commission if the Legislature makes provision for that action.  The Legislature has previously provided for a number of harbor lines to be relocated.

SUMMARY:

The Harbor Line Commission is given authority to relocate harbor lines in Oakland Bay in front of the city of Shelton in Mason County, and in Gig Harbor in front of the city of Gig Harbor in Pierce County.  Harbor lines shall be set within one mile of the city limits.

Fiscal Note:      Not Requested.

House Committee ‑ Testified For:    Senator Brad Owen; John DeMayer, Department of Natural Resources Aquatic Lands program; Tim Sheldon - Director, Economic Development Counsel for Mason County.

House Committee - Testified Against:      None Presented.

House Committee - Testimony For:    Three harbor areas were inadvertently omitted from the original legislation permitting relocation of harbor areas, including the two areas specified in this bill.  Giving these areas the authority to relocate their harbor lines will give them added flexibility in developing their harbor areas.

House Committee - Testimony Against:      None Presented.