RCW 79.17.020 Exchange of lands to consolidate and block up holdings or obtain lands having commercial recreational leasing potential—Consultation with interested parties.

(1) The board of county commissioners of any county and/or the mayor and city council or city commission of any city or town and/or the board shall have authority to exchange, each with the other, or with the federal forest service, the federal government or any proper agency thereof and/or with any private landowner, county land of any character, land owned by municipalities of any character, and state forestland owned by the state under the jurisdiction of the department, for real property of equal value for the purpose of consolidating and blocking up the respective landholdings of any county, municipality, the federal government, or the state of Washington or for the purpose of obtaining lands having commercial recreational leasing potential.

(2)(a) During the biennium ending June 30, 2013, for the purposes of maintaining working farm and forest landscapes or acquiring natural resource lands at risk of development, the department, with approval of the board of natural resources, may exchange any state land and any timber thereon for any land and proceeds of equal value, when it can be demonstrated that the trust fiduciary obligations can be better fulfilled after an exchange is completed. Proceeds may be in the form of cash or services in order to achieve the purposes established in this section. Any cash received as part of an exchange transaction shall be deposited in the forest development account to pay for administrative expenses incurred in carrying out an exchange transaction. These administrative expenses include road maintenance and abandonment expenses. The amount of proceeds received from the exchange partner may not exceed five percent of the total value of the exchange. The receipt of proceeds shall not change the character of the transaction from an exchange to a sale.

(b) During the biennium ending June 30, 2015, for the purposes of maintaining working farm and forest landscapes or acquiring natural resource lands at risk of development, the department, with approval of the board of natural resources, may exchange any state land and any timber thereon for any land and proceeds of equal value, when it can be demonstrated that the trust fiduciary obligations can be better fulfilled after an exchange is completed. Proceeds may be in the form of cash or services in order to achieve the purposes established in this section. Any cash received as part of an exchange transaction shall be deposited in the forest development account to pay for administrative expenses incurred in carrying out an exchange transaction. These administrative expenses include road maintenance and abandonment expenses. The amount of proceeds received from the exchange partner may not exceed five percent of the total value of the exchange. The receipt of proceeds shall not change the character of the transaction from an exchange to a sale.

(3) Prior to executing an exchange under this section, and in addition to the public notice requirements set forth in RCW 79.17.050, the department shall consult with legislative members, other state and federal agencies, local governments, tribes, local stakeholders, conservation groups, and any other interested parties to identify and address cultural resource issues, and the potential of the state lands proposed for exchange to be used for open space, park, school, or critical habitat purposes.

[ 2013 2nd sp.s. c 19 § 7035; 2012 2nd sp.s. c 2 § 6007; 2009 c 497 § 6025; 2008 c 328 § 6013. Prior: 2003 1st sp.s. c 25 § 937; 2003 c 334 § 209; 1973 1st ex.s. c 50 § 1; 1961 c 77 § 1; 1937 c 77 § 1; RRS § 5812-3e. Formerly RCW 76.12.050.]

NOTES:

Effective date—2013 2nd sp.s. c 19: See note following RCW 43.34.080.

Effective date—2012 2nd sp.s. c 2: See note following RCW 43.155.050.

Effective date—2009 c 497: See note following RCW 28B.15.210.

Part headings not law—Severability—Effective date—2008 c 328: See notes following RCW 43.155.050.

Severability—Effective date—2003 1st sp.s. c 25: See notes following RCW 19.28.351.

Intent—2003 c 334: See note following RCW 79.02.010.