WAC 332-30-131   Public use and access.  This section shall not apply to private recreational docks. Subsections (2) and (3) of this section shall not apply to port districts managing aquatic lands under a management agreement (WAC 332-30-114). Public use and access are aquatic land uses of statewide value. Public access and recreational use of state-owned aquatic land will be actively promoted and protected.

     (1) Access encouraged. Other agencies will be encouraged to provide, in their planning, for adequate public use and access and for protection of public use and access resources.

     (2) Access grants. Aquatic Land Enhancement Account funds will be distributed to state and local agencies to encourage provision of public access to state-owned aquatic lands.

     (3) Access advertised. State-owned aquatic lands particularly suitable for public use and access will be advertised through appropriate publications.

     (4) No-fee access agreements. No-fee agreements may be made with other parties for provision of public use and access to state-owned aquatic lands provided the other party meets the following conditions:

     (a) The land must be available daily to the public on a first-come, first-served basis and may not be leased to private parties on any more than a day-use basis.

     (b) Availability of free public use must be prominently advertised by appropriate means as required. For example, signs may be required on the premises and/or on a nearby public road if the facility is not visible from the road.

     (c) When the use is dependent on the abutting uplands, the managing entity must own, lease or control the abutting uplands.

     (d) User fees shall not be charged unless specifically authorized by the department and shall not exceed the direct operating cost of the facility.

     (e) Necessary nonwater-dependent accessory uses will be allowed in the no-fee agreement area only under exceptional circumstances when they contribute directly to the public's use and enjoyment of the aquatic lands and comply with WAC 332-30-137. Such nonwater-dependent uses shall be required to pay a fair-market rent for use of aquatic lands.

     (f) Auditable records must be maintained and made available to the state.

     (5) Rent reduction for access. Leased developments on state-owned aquatic lands which also provide a degree of public use and access may be eligible for a rent reduction. Rental reduction shall apply only to the actual area within the lease that meets public access and use requirements of subsection (4) of this section.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 79.90.105, 79.90.300, 79.90.455, 79.90.460, 79.90.470, 79.90.475, 79.90.520, 79.68.010, 79.68.68 [79.68.080], and chapter 79.93 RCW. 85-22-066 (Resolution No. 500), § 332-30-131, filed 11/5/85.]