reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
WA Rev Code § 79.70.040 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.040 - Powers as to transactions involving public lands deemed natural areas—Alienation of lands designated natural area preserves.

RCW 79.70.040 Powers as to transactions involving public lands deemed natural areas—Alienation of lands designated natural area preserves.The department is further authorized to purchase, lease, set aside, or exchange any public lands which are deemed to be natural areas: PROVIDED, That the appropriate state land trust receives the fair market value for any interests that are disposed of: PROVIDED, FURTHER, That such transactions are approved by the board of natural resources.An area consisting of public land designated as a natural area preserve shall be held in trust and shall not be alienated except to another public use upon a finding by the department of natural resources of imperative and unavoidable public necessity.[ 2004 c 199 § 228; 1972 ex.s. c 119 § 4.]NOTES:Part headings not law—2004 c 199: See note following RCW 79.02.010.
WA Rev Code § 79.70.060 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.060 - Legislative findings—Natural heritage resources.

RCW 79.70.060 Legislative findings—Natural heritage resources.The legislature finds:(1) That it is necessary to establish a process and means for public and private sector cooperation in the development of a system of natural areas. Private and public landowners should be encouraged to participate in a program of natural area establishment which will benefit all citizens of the state;(2) That there is a need for a systematic and accessible means for providing information concerning the locations of the state's natural heritage resources; and(3) That the natural heritage advisory council should utilize a specific framework for natural heritage resource conservation decision making through a classification, inventory, priority establishment, acquisition, and management process known as the natural heritage program. Future natural areas should avoid unnecessary duplication of already protected natural heritage resources including those which may already be protected in existing publicly owned or privately dedicated lands such as nature preserves, natural areas, natural resources conservation areas, parks, or wilderness.[ 2002 c 284 § 2; 1981 c 189 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 79.70.070 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.070 - Natural heritage advisory council.

RCW 79.70.070 Natural heritage advisory council.(1) The natural heritage advisory council is hereby established. The council shall consist of fifteen members, ten of whom shall be chosen as follows and who shall elect from the council's membership a chairperson:(a) Five individuals, appointed by the commissioner, who shall be recognized experts in the ecology of natural areas and represent the public, academic, and private sectors. Desirable fields of expertise are biological and geological sciences; and(b) Five individuals, appointed by the commissioner, who shall be selected from the various regions of the state. At least one member shall be or represent a private forestland owner and at least one member shall be or represent a private agricultural landowner.(2) Members appointed under subsection (1) of this section shall serve for terms of four years.(3) In addition to the members appointed by the commissioner, the director of the department of fish and wildlife, the director of the department of ecology, the supervisor of the department of natural resources, the director of the state parks and recreation commission, and the director of the recreation and conservation office, or an authorized representative of each agency officer, shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members of the council.(4) Any vacancy on the council shall be filled by appointment for the unexpired term by the commissioner.(5) In order to provide for staggered terms, of the initial members of the council:(a) Three shall serve for a term of two years;(b) Three shall serve for a term of three years; and(c) Three shall serve for a term of four years.(6) Members of the natural preserves advisory committee serving on July 26, 1981, shall serve as members of the council until the commissioner appoints a successor to each. The successor appointment shall be specifically designated to replace a member of the natural preserves advisory committee until all members of that committee have been replaced. A member of the natural preserves advisory committee is eligible for appointment to the council if otherwise qualified.(7) Members of the council shall serve without compensation. Members shall be reimbursed for travel expenses as provided in RCW 43.03.050 and 43.03.060 as now or hereafter amended.[ 2007 c 241 § 24; 1998 c 50 § 1; 1994 c 264 § 62; 1988 c 36 § 55; 1981 c 189 § 4.]NOTES:Intent—Effective date—2007 c 241: See notes following RCW 79A.25.005.
WA Rev Code § 79.70.080 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.080 - Council duties.

RCW 79.70.080 Council duties.(1) The council shall:(a) Meet at least annually and more frequently at the request of the chairperson;(b) Recommend policy for the natural heritage program through the review and approval of the natural heritage plan;(c) Advise the department, the department of fish and wildlife, the state parks and recreation commission, and other state agencies managing state-owned land or natural resources regarding areas under their respective jurisdictions which are appropriate for natural area registration or dedication;(d) Advise the department of rules and regulations that the council considers necessary in carrying out this chapter;(e) Review and approve area nominations by the department or other agencies for registration and review and comment on legal documents for the voluntary dedication of such areas;(f) Recommend whether new areas proposed for protection be established as natural area preserves, natural resources conservation areas, a combination of both, or by some other protected status; and(g) Review and comment on management plans proposed for individual natural area preserves.(2) From time to time, the council shall identify areas from the natural heritage data bank which qualify for registration. Priority shall be based on the natural heritage plan and shall generally be given to those resources which are rarest, most threatened, or underrepresented in the heritage conservation system on a statewide basis. After qualifying areas have been identified, the department shall advise the owners of such areas of the opportunities for acquisition or voluntary registration or dedication.[ 2002 c 284 § 3; 1994 c 264 § 63; 1988 c 36 § 56; 1981 c 189 § 5.]
WA Rev Code § 79.70.090 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.090 - Dedication of property as natural area.

RCW 79.70.090 Dedication of property as natural area.(1) The owner of a registered natural area, whether a private individual or an organization, may voluntarily agree to dedicate the area as a natural area by executing with the state an instrument of dedication in a form approved by the council. The instrument of dedication shall be effective upon its recording in the real property records of the appropriate county or counties in which the natural area is located. The county assessor in computing assessed valuation shall take into consideration any reductions in property values and/or highest and best use which result from natural area dedication.(2) A public agency owning or managing a registered natural area preserve may dedicate lands under the provisions of this chapter.(3) The department shall adopt rules as authorized by RCW 43.12.065 and 79.70.030(1) relating to voluntary natural area dedication and defining:(a) The types of real property interests that may be transferred;(b) Real property transfer methods and the types of consideration of payment possible;(c) Additional dedication provisions, such as natural area management, custody, use, and rights and privileges retained by the owner; and(d) Procedures for terminating dedication arrangements.[ 2003 c 334 § 550; 1981 c 189 § 6.]NOTES:Intent—2003 c 334: See note following RCW 79.02.010.
WA Rev Code § 79.70.100 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.100 - Public hearing—Establishment of boundary.

RCW 79.70.100 Public hearing—Establishment of boundary.The department shall hold a public hearing in the county where the majority of the land in a proposed natural area preserve is located prior to establishing the boundary.[ 1998 c 50 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 79.70.120 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.120 - Important bird area—Recognition requirements.

RCW 79.70.120 Important bird area—Recognition requirements.Prior to recognizing an important bird area under this chapter, the department must:(1) Publish notice of the proposed important bird area in the Washington state register;(2) Publish notice of the proposed important bird area in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the proposed important bird area is located; and(3) Conduct at least one public hearing in the county where the proposed important bird area is located.[ 2004 c 180 § 3.]NOTES:Intent—2004 c 180: See note following RCW 79.70.110.
WA Rev Code § 79.70.130 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.130 - Distribution of amount in lieu of real property taxes, weed control assessment.

RCW 79.70.130 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 the land were taxable as open space land under chapter 84.34 RCW except taxes levied for any state purpose, plus an additional amount equal to the amount of weed control assessment that would be due if such lands were privately owned. The county assessor and county legislative authority shall assist in determining the appropriate calculation of the amount of tax that would be due. The county shall distribute the amount received under this section in lieu of real property taxes to all property taxing districts except the state in appropriate tax code areas the same way it would distribute local property taxes from private property. The county shall distribute the amount received under this section for weed control to the appropriate weed district.[ 2005 c 303 § 11.]NOTES:Effective date—2005 c 303 §§ 1-14: See note following RCW 79A.15.010.
WA Rev Code § 79.70.900 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.70 - Natural Area Preserves.|79.70.900 - Construction—1972 ex.s. c 119.

RCW 79.70.900 Construction—1972 ex.s. c 119.Nothing in this chapter is intended to supersede or otherwise affect any existing legislation.[ 1972 ex.s. c 119 § 6.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.010 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.010 - Legislative findings.

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 scenic and ecological values and provide opportunities for low-impact public use; (3) in certain cases acquisition of property or rights in property is necessary to protect these areas for public purposes; and (4) there is a need for a state agency to act in an effective and timely manner to acquire interests in such areas and to develop appropriate management strategies for conservation purposes.[ 1991 c 352 § 1; 1987 c 472 § 1.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.020 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.020 - Characteristics of lands considered for conservation purposes.

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, that has flora, fauna, geological, archaeological, scenic, or similar features of critical importance to the people of Washington and that has retained to some degree or has reestablished its natural character;(3) Examples of native ecological communities; and(4) Environmentally significant sites threatened with conversion to incompatible or ecologically irreversible uses.[ 1991 c 352 § 2; 1987 c 472 § 2.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.030 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.030 - Definitions.

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 typical to the state of Washington; (2) maintaining exceptional scenic landscapes; (3) maintaining habitat for threatened, endangered, and sensitive species; (4) enhancing sites for primitive recreational purposes; and (5) outdoor environmental education."Low-impact public use" includes public recreation uses and improvements that do not adversely affect the resource values, are appropriate to the maintenance of the site in a relatively unmodified natural setting, and do not detract from long-term ecological processes."Management activities" may include limited production of income from forestry, agriculture, or other resource management activities, if such actions are consistent with the other purposes and requirements of this chapter."Natural resources conservation area" or "conservation area" means an area having the characteristics identified in RCW 79.71.020.[ 1991 c 352 § 3; 1987 c 472 § 3.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.040 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.040 - Acquisition of property for natural resources conservation areas—Designation.

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 acquired or assembled by the department for conservation purposes will be designated as "Washington natural resources conservation areas."[ 1987 c 472 § 4.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.050 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.050 - Transfer of trust land for natural resources conservation areas—Use of proceeds.

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 full fair market value compensation for all rights transferred. The proceeds from such transfers shall be used for the exclusive purpose of acquiring real property to replace those interests utilized for the conservation area in order to meet the department's fiduciary obligations and to maintain the productive land base of the various trusts.[ 1991 c 352 § 4; 1987 c 472 § 5.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.060 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.060 - Public hearing on proposed conservation area.

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 c 352 § 5; 1987 c 472 § 6.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.070 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.070 - Management plans for designated areas.

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 management activities and public uses that are permitted, consistent with the conservation purposes of this chapter. The department shall make such plans available for review and comment by the public and other state, tribal, and local agencies, prior to final approval by the commissioner.[ 1991 c 352 § 6; 1987 c 472 § 7.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.080 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.080 - Administration of natural resources conservation areas—Management agreements and activities.

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 of acquisition as defined in the adopted management plan. All management activities within a Washington natural resources conservation area will conform with the plan. Any moneys derived from the management of these areas in conformance with the adopted plan shall be deposited in the natural resources conservation areas stewardship account.[ 1991 c 352 § 7; 1987 c 472 § 8.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.090 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.090 - Natural resources conservation areas stewardship account.

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, donations, gifts, bond issue receipts, securities, and other monetary instruments of value. Income derived from the management of natural resources conservation areas shall also be deposited in this stewardship account.Appropriations from this account to the department shall be expended for no other purpose than the following: (1) To manage the areas approved by the legislature in fulfilling the purposes of this chapter; (2) to manage property acquired as natural area preserves under chapter 79.70 RCW; (3) to manage property transferred under the authority and appropriation provided by the legislature to be managed under chapter 79.70 RCW or this chapter or acquired under chapter 79A.15 RCW; and (4) to pay for operating expenses for the natural heritage program under chapter 79.70 RCW.[ 2000 c 11 § 25; 1991 sp.s. c 13 § 118; 1991 c 352 § 8; 1987 c 472 § 9.]NOTES:Effective dates—Severability—1991 sp.s. c 13: See notes following RCW 18.08.240.
WA Rev Code § 79.71.100 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.100 - Designation of certain areas as natural resources conservation areas.

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 develop a plan for its continued conservation and use by the public. In accordance with Article XVI of the Washington state Constitution, any available private lands and trust lands located within the designated boundaries of the Mt. Si conservation area shall be leased or acquired in fee from the appropriate trust at fair market value using funds appropriated for that purpose.(2) Trust lands and state-owned land on Cypress Island (Skagit County) are hereby designated as the Cypress Island natural resources conservation area. Any available private lands necessary to achieve the purposes of this section shall be acquired by the department of natural resources using funds appropriated for that purpose. Trust lands located within the designated boundaries of the Cypress Island natural resources conservation area shall be leased or acquired in fee from the appropriate trust at fair market value.(3) Woodard Bay (Thurston County) is hereby designated the Woodard Bay natural resources conservation area. The department is directed to acquire property available in Sec. 18, T.19N, R1W using funds appropriated for that purpose.(4) The area adjacent to the Dishman Hills natural area (Spokane County) is hereby designated the Dishman Hills natural resources conservation area. The department is directed to acquire property available in Sec. 19, 29 and 30, T.25N, R44E, using funds appropriated for that purpose.[ 2000 c 11 § 26; 1987 c 472 § 10.]
WA Rev Code § 79.71.120 (2021)
2021 Revised Code of Washington|Title 79 - Public Lands|Chapter 79.71 - Washington Natural Resources Conservation Areas.|79.71.120 - Elk river natural resources conservation area—Transfer of management—Hunting opportunities.

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 low-impact public use within the Elk river natural resources conservation area. The department of natural resources shall incorporate this legislative direction into the management plan developed for the Elk river natural resources conservation area. The department shall work with the department of fish and wildlife to identify hunting opportunities compatible with the area's conservation purposes.[ 1997 c 371 § 1.]