(1) In case any lessee of tidelands or shorelands, for any purpose except mining of valuable minerals or coal, or extraction of petroleum or gas, or the lessee's successor in interest, shall after the expiration of any lease, fail to purchase, when otherwise permitted under RCW 79.125.200 to be purchased, or re-lease from the state the tidelands or shorelands formerly covered by the lease, when the lands are offered for sale or re-lease, then and in that event the department shall appraise and determine the value of all improvements existing upon the tidelands or shorelands at the expiration of the lease which are not capable of removal without damage to the land, including the cost of filling and raising the property above high tide, or high water, whether filled or raised by the lessee or the lessee's successors in interest, or by virtue of any contract made with the state, and also including the then value to the land of all existing local improvements paid for by the lessee or the lessee's successors in interest. In case the lessee or the lessee's successor in interest is dissatisfied with the appraised value of the improvements as determined by the department, the lessee shall have the right of appeal to the superior court of the county where the tidelands or shorelands are situated, within the time and according to the method prescribed in RCW 79.105.160 for taking appeals from decisions of the department.

     (2) In case the tidelands or shorelands are leased, or sold, to any person other than such lessee or the lessee's successor in interest, within three years from the expiration of the former lease, the bid of the subsequent lessee or purchaser shall not be accepted until payment is made by the subsequent lessee or purchaser of the appraised value of the improvements as determined by the department, or as may be determined on appeal, to the former lessee or the former lessee's successor in interest.

     (3) In case the tidelands or shorelands are not leased, or sold, within three years after the expiration of the former lease, then in that event, the improvements existing on the lands at the time of any subsequent lease, shall belong to the state and be considered a part of the land, and shall be taken into consideration in appraising the value, or rental value, of the land and sold or leased with the land.

[2005 c 155 § 531; 1982 1st ex.s. c 21 § 117. Formerly RCW 79.94.320.]