WASHINGTON STATUTES AND CODES

79A.15.070 - Acquisition and development priorities -- Generally.

Acquisition and development priorities — Generally.

(1) In determining which state parks proposals and local parks proposals to fund, the board shall use existing policies and priorities.

     (2) Except as provided in RCW 79A.15.030(7), moneys appropriated for this chapter may not be used by the board to fund staff or other overhead expenses, or by a state, regional, or local agency to fund operation or maintenance of areas acquired under this chapter.

     (3) Moneys appropriated for this chapter may be used by grant recipients for costs incidental to acquisition and development, including, but not limited to, surveying expenses, fencing, and signing.

     (4) The board may not approve a project of a local agency where the share contributed by the local agency is less than the amount to be awarded from the outdoor recreation account.

     (5) The board may adopt rules establishing acquisition policies and priorities for the acquisition and development of trails and water access sites to be financed from moneys in the outdoor recreation account.

     (6) In determining the acquisition and development priorities, the board shall consider, at a minimum, the following criteria:

     (a) For trails proposals:

     (i) Community support for the project;

     (ii) Immediacy of threat to the site;

     (iii) Linkage between communities;

     (iv) Linkage between trails;

     (v) Existing or potential usage;

     (vi) Consistency with a local land use plan, or a regional or statewide recreational or resource plan, including projects that assist in the implementation of local shoreline master plans updated according to RCW 90.58.080 or local comprehensive plans updated according to RCW 36.70A.130;

     (vii) Availability of water access or views;

     (viii) Enhancement of wildlife habitat; and

     (ix) Scenic values of the site.

     (b) For water access proposals:

     (i) Community support for the project;

     (ii) Distance from similar water access opportunities;

     (iii) Immediacy of threat to the site;

     (iv) Diversity of possible recreational uses;

     (v) Public demand in the area; and

     (vi) Consistency with a local land use plan, or a regional or statewide recreational or resource plan, including projects that assist in the implementation of local shoreline master plans updated according to RCW 90.58.080 or local comprehensive plans updated according to RCW 36.70A.130.

     (7) Before November 1st of each even-numbered year, the board shall recommend to the governor a prioritized list of all state agency and local projects to be funded under RCW 79A.15.050(1) (a), (b), (c), and (d). The governor may remove projects from the list recommended by the board and shall submit this amended list in the capital budget request to the legislature. The list shall include, but not be limited to, a description of each project and any particular match requirement, and describe for each project any anticipated restrictions upon recreational activities allowed prior to the project.