WASHINGTON STATE RECREATION TRAILS SYSTEM

79A.35.020
Purpose.

(1) In order to provide for the ever increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding resident and tourist population and to promote public access to, travel within, and the enjoyment and appreciation of outdoor areas of Washington, it is declared to be in the public interest to plan a system of trails throughout the state to enable and encourage the public to engage in outdoor recreation activities.

     (2) The purpose of this chapter is to provide the means for attaining these objectives by instituting a method for establishing a system of state recreation trails, and by prescribing the manner by which a proposed trail may be included in the system.

79A.35.030
Trails to be designated by board — Inclusion of other trails — Procedure.

79A.35.040
State trails plan.

The director shall prepare a state trails plan as part of the statewide outdoor recreation and open space plan. Included in this plan shall be an inventory of existing trails and potential trail routes on all lands within the state presently being used or with potential for use by all types of trail users. Such trails plan may include general routes or corridors within which specific trails or segments thereof may be considered for designation as state recreation trails.

79A.35.050
Proposals for designation of existing or proposed trails as state recreational trails.

Before any specific existing or proposed trail is considered for designation as a state recreational trail, a proposal must be submitted to the board showing the following:

     (1) For existing trails:

     (a) The route of such trail, including maps and illustrations, and the recommended mode or modes of travel to be permitted thereon;

     (b) The characteristics that, in the judgment of the agency or organization proposing the trail, make it worthy of designation as a component of a state recreation trail or trail system;

     (c) A map showing the current status of land ownership and use along the designated route;

     (d) The name of the agency or combination of agencies that would be responsible for acquiring additional trail rights-of-way or easements, trail improvement, operation and maintenance, and a statement from those agencies indicating the conditions under which they would be willing to accept those responsibilities;

     (e) Any anticipated problems of maintaining and supervising the use of such trail and any anticipated hazards to the use of any land or resource adjacent to such trail;

     (f) And such others as deemed necessary by the board.

     (2) In addition, for proposed trails or for existing trails which require additional right-of-way acquisition, easements, and/or development:

     (a) The method of acquiring trail rights-of-way or easements;

     (b) The estimated cost of acquisition of lands, or interest in land, if any is required;

     (c) The plans for developing the trail and the estimated cost thereof;

     (d) Proposed sources of funds to accomplish (a) and (b) of this subsection.

79A.35.060
Coordination by recreation and conservation funding board.

Following designation of a state recreation trail, the recreation and conservation funding board may coordinate:

     (1) The agency or agencies that will acquire (where appropriate), develop and/or maintain the trail;

     (2) The most appropriate location for the trail;

     (3) Modes of travel to be permitted;

     (4) And other functions as appropriate.

79A.35.070
Categories of trails or areas — Policy statement as to certain state lands.

The following seven categories of trails or areas are hereby established for purposes of this chapter:

     (1) Cross-state trails which connect scenic, historical, geological, geographical, or other significant features which are characteristic of the state;

     (2) Water-oriented trails which provide a designated path to, on, or along fresh and/or salt water in which the water is the primary point of interest;

     (3) Scenic-access trails which give access to quality recreation, scenic, historic or cultural areas of statewide or national significance;

     (4) Urban trails which provide opportunities within an urban setting for walking, bicycling, horseback riding, or other compatible activities. Where appropriate, they will connect parks, scenic areas, historical points, and neighboring communities;

     (5) Historical trails which identify and interpret routes which were significant in the historical settlement and development of the state;

     (6) ORV vehicle trails which are suitable for use by both four-wheel drive vehicles and two-wheel vehicles. Such trails may be included as a part of the trail systems enumerated in subsections (1), (2), (3) and (5) of this section or may be separately designated;

     (7) Off-road and off-trail areas which are suitable for use by both four-wheel drive vehicles and two-wheel vehicles. The board shall coordinate an inventory and classification of such areas giving consideration to the type of use such areas will receive from persons operating four-wheel drive vehicles and two-wheel vehicles.

     The planning and designation of trails shall take into account and give due regard to the interests of federal agencies, state agencies and bodies, counties, municipalities, private landowners and individuals, and interested recreation organizations. It is not required that the above categories be used to designate specific trails, but the board will assure that full consideration is given to including trails from all categories within the system. As it relates to all classes of trails and to all types of trail users, it is herein declared as state policy to increase recreational trail access to and within state and federally owned lands and private lands where access may be obtained. It is the intent of the legislature that public recreation facilities be developed as fully as possible to provide greater recreation opportunities for the citizens of the state. The purpose of chapter 153, Laws of 1972 ex. sess. is to increase the availability of trails and areas for off-road vehicles by granting authority to state and local governments to maintain a system of ORV trails and areas, and to fund the program to provide for such development. State lands should be used as fully as possible for all public recreation which is compatible with the income-producing requirements of the various trusts.

79A.35.080
General types of use.

All trails designated as state recreational trails will be constructed, maintained, and operated to provide for one or more of the following general types of use: Foot, foot powered bicycle, horse, motor vehicular or watercraft travel as appropriate to the terrain and location, or to legal, administrative or other necessary restraints. It is further provided that the same trail shall not be designated for use by foot and vehicular travel at the same time.

79A.35.090
Guidelines.

With the concurrence of any federal or state agency administering lands through which a state recreation trail may pass, and after consultation with local governments, private organizations and landowners which the board knows or believes to be concerned, the board may issue guidelines including, but not limited to: Encouraging the permissive use of volunteer organizations for planning, maintenance, or trail construction assistance; trail construction and maintenance standards, a trail use reporting procedure, and a uniform trail mapping system.

79A.35.100
Consultation and cooperation with state, federal, and local agencies.

79A.35.110
Participation by volunteer organizations — Liability of public agencies therefor limited.

79A.35.120
Department of transportation — Participation.

The department of transportation shall consider plans for trails along and across all new construction projects, improvement projects, and along or across any existing highways in the state system as deemed desirable by the board.

79A.35.130
Participants in conservation corps programs — Exempt from provisions related to rates of compensation.

79A.35.900
Short title.

This chapter may be cited as the Washington State Recreation Trails System Act.