Title 79A, PUBLIC RECREATIONAL LANDS

There is hereby created the winter recreational program account in the state treasury. Special winter recreational area parking permit fees collected under this chapter shall be remitted to the state treasurer to be deposited in the winter recreational program account and shall b…

The commission may, after consultation with the winter recreation advisory committee, adopt rules and regulations prohibiting or restricting overnight parking at any special state winter recreational parking areas owned or administered by it. Where such special state winter recre…

See RCW 46.61.587.

The commission may adopt such rules as are necessary to implement and enforce RCW 79A.05.225 through 79A.05.240 and 46.61.585 after consultation with the winter recreation advisory committee. [ 2000 c 11 s 34; 1982 c 11 s 5; 1975 1st ex.s. c 209 s 7. Formerly RCW 43.51.330.] Note…

(1) There is created a winter recreation advisory committee to advise the parks and recreation commission in the administration of this chapter and to assist and advise the commission in the development of winter recreation facilities and programs. (2) The committee shall consist…

The legislature hereby names the golf course located at Sun Lakes State Park the "Vic Meyers Golf Course", and Rainbow Lake shall be re-named "Vic Meyers Lake". The state shall provide and install a proper marker in a suitable location in the main activity area of the park which …

The legislature finds that there is a need for hostels in the state for the safety and welfare of transient persons with limited resources. It is the intent of RCW 79A.05.265 through 79A.05.275 that such facilities be established using locally donated structures. It is the furthe…

For purposes of *this chapter, "hostel" means a simple basic structure that serves as a safe, low-cost accommodation for mobile people of all ages from this country and abroad. [ 1977 ex.s. c 281 s 2. Formerly RCW 43.51.365.] Notes: *Reviser's note: "This chapter" apparently refe…

Any political subdivision of the state is authorized to establish hostels within its jurisdiction. The facilities and services shall include, but not be limited to: (1) Short term sleeping accommodations including adequate restroom and bathing facilities; and (2) Information and …

The parks and recreation commission is authorized to accept grants or moneys from any federal or private source for support of hostels. The commission at its discretion is directed to apportion and transfer any such moneys to contracting agencies or political subdivisions which o…

The commission is authorized to evaluate and acquire land under *RCW 79.01.612 in cooperation with the department of natural resources. [ 1999 c 249 s 907.] Notes: *Reviser's note: RCW 79.01.612 was recodified as RCW 79.10.030 pursuant to 2003 c 334 s 555. Severability—1999 c 249…

The commission may select land held by the department of natural resources for acquisition under RCW 79A.50.010 et seq. [ 1999 c 249 s 908.] Notes: Severability—1999 c 249: See note following RCW 79A.05.010.

For the reasons specified in RCW 79A.25.250, the state parks and recreation commission shall place a high priority on the establishment of urban area state parks and shall revise its plan for future state parks to achieve this priority. This section shall be implemented by Januar…

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 ecolog…

The state parks and recreation commission shall: (1) Coordinate a statewide program of boating safety education using to the maximum extent possible existing programs offered by the United States power squadron and the United States coast guard auxiliary; (2) Adopt rules in accor…

The legislature finds that the parks and recreation lands owned and managed by the commission are a significant collection of valuable scenic, natural, cultural, and historical resources for the citizens of Washington state. The legislature further finds that if citizens understa…

The commission may provide scenic, natural, cultural, or historical resource interpretive activities for visitors to state parks that: (1) Explain the functions, history, significance, and cultural aspects of ecosystems; (2) Explain the relationship between human needs, human beh…

The commission may consult and enter into agreements with and solicit assistance from other public agencies, the state parks foundation, private entities, employee business units, and tribes that are interested in stewarding and interpreting state parks scenic, natural, cultural,…

(1) When entering into any agreement under RCW 79A.05.345 or otherwise involving the management of state parkland or a facility by a public or private partner, the commission shall consider, when appropriate: (a) If the entity has an adequate source of available funding to assume…

(1) The outdoor education and recreation grant program is hereby created, subject to the availability of funds in the outdoor education and recreation account. The commission shall establish and implement the program by rule to provide opportunities for public agencies, private n…

The state parks and recreation commission shall act as the lead agency for the establishment of underwater parks in state waters and for environmental reviews of projects necessary to establish underwater parks. The commission may enter into interagency agreements to facilitate t…

The commission may establish a system of underwater parks to provide for diverse recreational diving opportunities and to conserve and protect unique marine resources of the state of Washington. In establishing and maintaining an underwater park system, the commission may: (1) Pl…

In establishing an underwater park system, the commission shall seek to create diverse recreational opportunities in areas throughout Washington state. The commission shall place a high priority upon creating units that possess unique or diverse marine life or underwater natural …

The commission is not liable for unintentional injuries to users of underwater parks, whether the facilities are administered by the commission or by another entity or person. However, nothing in this section prevents the liability of the commission for injuries sustained by a us…

The legislature recognizes the increase in water-oriented recreation by users of human and wind-powered, beachable vessels such as kayaks, canoes, or day sailors on Washington's waters. These recreationists frequently require overnight camping facilities along the shores of publi…

In addition to its other powers, duties, and functions, the commission may: (1) Plan, construct, and maintain suitable facilities for water trail activities on lands administered or acquired by the commission or as authorized on lands administered by tribes or other public agenci…

The commission may make water trail program grants to public agencies or tribal governments and may contract with any public agency, tribal government, entity, or person to develop and implement water trail programs. [ 1993 c 182 s 3. Formerly RCW 43.51.444.]

The commission is not liable for unintentional injuries to users of facilities administered for water trail purposes under this chapter, whether the facilities are administered by the commission or by any other entity or person. However, nothing in this section prevents the liabi…

The commission may adopt rules to administer the water trail program and facilities on areas owned or administered by the commission. Where water trail facilities administered by other public or private entities are incorporated into the water trail system, the rules adopted by t…

Violation of the provisions of the commission's rules governing the use of water trail facilities and property shall constitute a civil infraction, punishable as provided under chapter 7.84 RCW. [ 1993 c 182 s 8. Formerly RCW 43.51.454.]

Any unspent balance of funds in the water trail program account created in *RCW 79A.05.405 as of June 30, 2003, must be transferred to the state parks renewal and stewardship account created in RCW 79A.05.215. All receipts from sales of materials under RCW 79A.05.385 and all mone…

The commission shall cooperate, when appropriate, as a partner in the Washington conservation corps established in chapter 43.220 RCW. [ 2011 c 20 s 14; 1999 c 249 s 701.] Notes: Findings—Intent—2011 c 20: See note following RCW 43.220.020. Intent—Application—2011 c 20: See RCW 4…

The beaches bounding the Pacific Ocean from the Straits of Juan de Fuca to Cape Disappointment at the mouth of the Columbia River constitute some of the last unspoiled seashore remaining in the United States. They provide the public with almost unlimited opportunities for recreat…

There is established for the recreational use and enjoyment of the public the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area. It shall include all lands now or hereafter under state ownership or control lying between Cape Disappointment and Leadbetter Point; between Toke Point and t…

Except as otherwise provided in RCW 79A.05.600 through 79A.05.630, the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area shall be under the jurisdiction of the Washington state parks and recreation commission, which shall administer RCW 79A.05.600 through 79A.05.630 in accordance with …

The Washington state parks and recreation commission shall administer the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area in harmony with the broad principles set forth in RCW 79A.05.600. Where feasible, the area shall be preserved in its present state; everywhere it shall be maintai…

In administering the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area, the Washington state parks and recreation commission shall seek the cooperation and assistance of federal agencies, other state agencies, and local political subdivisions. All state agencies, and the governing offi…

Nothing in RCW 79A.05.600 through 79A.05.630 and 79A.05.635 through 79A.05.695 shall be construed to interfere with the powers, duties and authority of the department of fish and wildlife to regulate the conservation or taking of food fish and shellfish. Nor shall anything in RCW…

Lands within the Seashore Conservation Area shall not be sold, leased, or otherwise disposed of, except as provided in this section. (1) The commission may, under authority granted in RCW 79A.05.175 and 79A.05.180, exchange state parklands in the Seashore Conservation Area for la…

A cooperative program to provide recreation management plans for the ocean beaches that comprise the Seashore Conservation Area established by RCW 79A.05.605 is created. [ 2000 c 11 s 51; 1988 c 75 s 1. Formerly RCW 43.51.695.] Notes: Effective date—1988 c 75: "This act shall tak…

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, the definitions in this section apply to RCW 79A.05.600 through 79A.05.695. (1) "Local government" means a county, city, or town. (2) "Ocean beaches" include the three ocean beaches described in RCW 79A.05.605. (3) "Pedestrian use" m…

Local governments having a portion of the Seashore Conservation Area within their boundaries may, individually or through an agreement with other local governments located on the same ocean beach, adopt a recreation management plan which meets the requirements of RCW 79A.05.600 t…

(1) Except as provided in RCW 79A.05.655 and 79A.05.660, a total of forty percent of the length of the beach subject to the recreation management plan shall be reserved for pedestrian use under this section and RCW 79A.05.665. Restrictions on motorized traffic under this section …

Notwithstanding RCW 79A.05.650(1), recreation management plans may make provision for vehicular traffic on areas otherwise reserved for pedestrian use in order to: (1) Facilitate clam digging; (2) Accommodate organized recreational events of not more than seven consecutive days d…

Recreation management plans shall not prohibit or restrict public vehicles operated in the performance of official duties, vehicles responding to an emergency, or vehicles specially authorized by the director or the director's designee. [ 1999 c 249 s 1101; 1988 c 75 s 6. Formerl…

Recreation management plans shall, upon request of the commission, reserve on a permanent, seasonal, or temporary basis, land adjoining national wildlife refuges and state parks for pedestrian use. After a plan is approved, the commission may require local jurisdictions to adopt …