Bill > HB1513

This bill aims to safeguard natural resources in the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area by making several key amendments to existing law. The bill clarifies the geographical boundaries of the Seashore Conservation Area, which includes lands between specific coastal points from Cape Disappointment to the Makah Indian Reservation, extending from the ordinary high water line to the line of extreme low tide. It introduces a precise definition of "ordinary high water line" as the mark on shores where water's presence and action consistently create a distinct character on the soil or vegetation. The bill also modifies regulations regarding beach usage, expanding protections for salmon-bearing streams by requiring that areas near these streams be reserved for pedestrian use during spawning season. The Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission must now consult with the Department of Fish and Wildlife to identify salmon-bearing streams and determine spawning periods. When designating pedestrian-only areas, the commission must consider factors including public safety, recreational interests, wildlife habitat protection, vegetation preservation, sand dune topography, shellfish management, local economic impacts, and public access. These changes aim to balance conservation efforts with recreational use of Washington's ocean beaches.