RCW 79.71.010 Legislative findings. The legislature finds that: (1) There is an increasing and continuing need by the people of Washington for certain areas of the state to be conserved, in rural as well as urban settings, for the benefit of present and future generations; (2) such areas are worthy of conservation for their outstanding […]
RCW 79.71.020 Characteristics of lands considered for conservation purposes. Lands possessing the following characteristics are considered by the legislature to be worthy of consideration for conservation purposes: (1) Lands identified as having high priority for conservation, natural systems, wildlife, and low-impact public use values; (2) An area of land or water, or land and water, […]
RCW 79.71.030 Definitions. As used in this chapter: “Commissioner” means the commissioner of public lands. “Department” means the department of natural resources. “Conservation purposes” include but are not limited to: (1) Maintaining, enhancing, or restoring ecological systems, including but not limited to aquatic, coastal, riparian, montane, and geological systems, whether such systems be unique or […]
RCW 79.71.040 Acquisition of property for natural resources conservation areas—Designation. The department is authorized to acquire property or less than fee interests in property, as defined by RCW 64.04.130, by all means, except eminent domain, for creating natural resources conservation areas, where acquisition is the best way to achieve the purposes of this chapter. Areas […]
RCW 79.71.050 Transfer of trust land for natural resources conservation areas—Use of proceeds. The department is authorized to transfer fee simple interest or less than fee interests in trust land, as defined by Article XVI of the Washington Constitution, for the creation of natural resources conservation areas, provided the owner of the trust land receives […]
RCW 79.71.060 Public hearing on proposed conservation area. The department shall hold a public hearing in the county where the majority of the land in the proposed natural resources conservation area is located prior to establishing the boundary. An area proposed for designation must contain resources consistent with characteristics identified in RCW 79.71.020. [ 1991 […]
RCW 79.71.070 Management plans for designated areas. The department shall develop a management plan for each designated area. The plan shall identify the significant resources to be conserved consistent with the purposes of this chapter and identify the areas with potential for low-impact public and environmental educational uses. The plan shall specify what types of […]
RCW 79.71.080 Administration of natural resources conservation areas—Management agreements and activities. The department is authorized to administer natural resources conservation areas and may enter into management agreements for these areas with federal agencies, state agencies, local governments, and private nonprofit conservancy corporations, as defined in RCW 64.04.130, when such agreements are consistent with the purposes […]
RCW 79.71.090 Natural resources conservation areas stewardship account. There is hereby created the natural resources conservation areas stewardship account in the state treasury to ensure proper and continuing management of land acquired or designated pursuant to this chapter. Funds for the stewardship account shall be derived from appropriations of state general funds, federal funds, grants, […]
RCW 79.71.100 Designation of certain areas as natural resources conservation areas. The legislature hereby designates certain areas as natural resources conservation areas: (1) The Mt. Si conservation area (King County), RCW 79A.05.725, is hereby designated the Mt. Si natural resources conservation area. The department is directed to continue its management of this area and to […]
RCW 79.71.120 Elk river natural resources conservation area—Transfer of management—Hunting opportunities. The property currently designated as the Elk river natural area preserve is transferred from management under chapter 79.70 RCW as a natural area preserve to management under chapter 79.71 RCW as a natural resources conservation area. The legislature finds that hunting is a suitable […]
RCW 79.71.130 Distribution of amount in lieu of real property taxes, weed control assessment. 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 […]
