Title 79 — Title 79 PUBLIC LANDS

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a state system of natural area preserves and a means whereby the preservation of these aquatic and land areas can be accomplished.All areas within the state, except those which are expressly dedicated by law for preservation and protect…

The definitions in this section apply throughout this chapter unless the context clearly requires otherwise.(1) "Department" means the department of natural resources.(2) "Natural areas" and "natural area preserves" include such public or private areas of land or water which have…

In order to set aside, preserve, and protect natural areas within the state, the department is authorized, in addition to any other powers, to:(1) Establish the criteria for selection, acquisition, management, protection, and use of such natural areas, including:(a) Limiting publ…

The department is further authorized to purchase, lease, set aside, or exchange any public lands which are deemed to be natural areas: PROVIDED, That the appropriate state land trust receives the fair market value for any interests that are disposed of: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That su…

The legislature finds:(1) That it is necessary to establish a process and means for public and private sector cooperation in the development of a system of natural areas. Private and public landowners should be encouraged to participate in a program of natural area establishment …

(1) The natural heritage advisory council is hereby established. The council shall consist of fifteen members, ten of whom shall be chosen as follows and who shall elect from the council's membership a chairperson:(a) Five individuals, appointed by the commissioner, who shall be …

(1) The council shall:(a) Meet at least annually and more frequently at the request of the chairperson;(b) Recommend policy for the natural heritage program through the review and approval of the natural heritage plan;(c) Advise the department, the department of fish and wildlife…

(1) The owner of a registered natural area, whether a private individual or an organization, may voluntarily agree to dedicate the area as a natural area by executing with the state an instrument of dedication in a form approved by the council. The instrument of dedication shall …

The department shall hold a public hearing in the county where the majority of the land in a proposed natural area preserve is located prior to establishing the boundary. During the 2023-2025 fiscal biennium, this section does not apply to section 3034, chapter 375, Laws of 2024.…

(1) The program may use information collected by a qualifying nonprofit organization to recognize important bird areas. The program should, to the greatest extent possible, coordinate with and use internationally agreed-upon, scientific criteria and protocols developed by a quali…

Prior to recognizing an important bird area under this chapter, the department must:(1) Publish notice of the proposed important bird area in the Washington state register;(2) Publish notice of the proposed important bird area in a newspaper of general circulation in the county w…

The state treasurer, on behalf of the department, must distribute to counties for all lands acquired for the purposes of this chapter an amount in lieu of real property taxes equal to the amount of tax that would be due if the land were taxable as open space land under chapter 84…

Nothing in this chapter is intended to supersede or otherwise affect any existing legislation.[ 1972 ex.s. c 119 s 6.]