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Subjects › Environment › Lake Management Districts
Updated 06/2010

Lake and Beach Management Districts

Contents

About Lake and Beach Management Districts

The 1985 legislature authorized counties, cities, and towns to create local improvement districts for lake improvements (Laws of 1985, ch. 398 ). In 2008 the lake management district provisions were amended to include the formation of beach management districts (Laws of 2008, ch. 301). The purpose of the lake and beach district legislation is to establish a governmental mechanism by which property owners can embark on a program of lake or beach improvement and maintenance.

This page provides a summary of statutory provisions, citizen information on how to create lake and beach management districts, and links to lake management district web sites in Washington. For specific procedures, please refer to the relevant statutes.

Statutory Authority

  • Ch. 36.61 RCW - Lake and Beach Management Districts (Counties)
  • RCW 35.21.403 - Authority to establish lake and beach management districts, as provided in Ch. 36.61 RCW (Cities and Towns)

Functions, and Powers

A lake or beach management district may: assess property, issue bonds; control or remove aquatic plants and vegetation; improve water quality; control water levels; treat and divert storm water; control agricultural waste; study lake or marine water quality problems and solutions; clean and maintain ditches and streams entering the lake or marine waters or leaving the lake; and monitor air quality.

Formation of Lake or Beach Management District - Brief Summary

A lake or beach management district may be initiated by a resolution of intention by any city, town, or county legislative authority or by a petition signed by 10 landowners or the owners of at least 15 percent of the acreage of the proposed district. The resolution of intention designates the number of the proposed district and sets a hearing date. (RCW 36.61.030)

Hearing on Formation of Lake or Beach Management District

A hearing must be scheduled at least 30 days and no more than 90 days after the adoption of a resolution, unless an emergency exists. Notice of hearing is to be published at least twice in newspaper of general circulation in the proposed district and mailed to landowners and the departments of Fish and Wildlife, Natural Resources, and Ecology. If the original proposal is altered, an amended resolution of intention must be passed and property owners given a new notice. (RCW 36.61.030-.060)

Election to Form a Lake or Beach Management District

The legislative authority adopts a resolution submitting the question of creating the lake or beach management district to owners of land within the proposed district. The election is by mail ballot. Votes are weighted based on estimated special assessment (one vote per dollar of estimated assessment). (RCW 36.61.070-.090)

Passage of Proposition to Form Lake or Beach Management District

Passage of the proposition requires a simple majority of votes cast. If the proposition is approved, the legislative authority adopts an ordinance creating the lake or beach management district. Notice of district's creation must be published within 10 days of adopting the ordinance. (RCW 36.61.090 - .100)

Finance - Special Assessment Roll Procedures

An election is required if assessments exceed 110 percent of that estimated in the resolution initiating the district. A proposed special assessment roll is prepared and hearing is held on the assessment roll. The legislative authority must confirm and approve a special assessment roll by adoption of a resolution. The legislative authority may provide, by ordinance, for a committee of the legislative body or an officer (hearing examiner) to hear objections, act as a board of equalization, and make recommendations to the full legislative authority without a hearing on the assessment roll. If special assessment roll is amended to raise any special assessment or to include omitted property, a new public hearing must be held.

Objection must be made in writing and filed with the governing body prior to the public hearing. If authority is delegated, the process for appeals to the legislative body must be provided by ordinance. Appeal to courts must be made within 10 days after notice of resolution confirming assessment roll has been published. (RCW 36.61.115 - .250)

  • Sample Appeals Process - Whatcom County Code Ch. 2.100 - Objection Process for Lake Management District Rates and Charges or Special Assessments

Governance of Lake or Beach Management District

No governance is statutorily specified; however many jurisdictions have set up advisory committees. See examples below.

Citizen Information and Resources

Sample Provisions Creating Lake and Beach Management Districts

Links to Lake and Beach Management Districts

Other References

Return to ESA Water Quality
Return to Special Districts
Return to Storm Water Funding