Bill Analysis — HB 2400, Adopt-a-Waterway Program (Washington State House of Representatives)
Summary
A bill analysis of HB 2400 from the Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research for the Innovation, Community & Economic Development, & Veterans Committee, with a hearing date of 1/23/24. The brief description is establishing an adopt-a-waterway program, and the sponsor is Representative Orcutt. The brief summary says the bill establishes a statewide Adopt-a-Waterway Program administered by the State Parks and Recreation Commission, allows organizations, businesses, and individuals to adopt and clean up a designated waterway, and sets conditions such as age limits and recognition signs for adopters. The analysis lists a fiscal note requested on January 15, 2024.
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“Bill Analysis — HB 2400, Adopt-a-Waterway Program (Washington State House of Representatives).”
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Washington State BILL
House of Representatives
Office of Program Research ANALYSIS
Innovation, Community & Economic
Development, & Veterans Committee
HB 2400
Brief Description: Establishing an adopt-a-waterway program.
Sponsors: Representative Orcutt.
Brief Summary of Bill
• Establishes a statewide Adopt-a-Waterway Program (Program)
administered by the State Parks and Recreation Commission.
• Allows organizations, businesses, and individuals to adopt and clean up a
designated waterway.
• Prescribes conditions for the Program such as age limits, recognition
signs for adopters, and limits on participation.
Hearing Date: 1/23/24
Staff: Martha Wehling (786-7067).
Background:
The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) controls and supervises more than
140 state parks throughout Washington. The Commission's duties include the use, care, and
administration of state parks and parkways including managing pests and invasive species,
building and maintaining recreational trails and roadways, granting concessions and leases,
managing timber and land to enhance aesthetic and recreational values, and acting as the lead
agency for underwater parks. In addition, the Commission administers four designated
conservation areas: the Seashore Conservation Area, the Green River Gorge Conservation Area,
the Mount Si Conservation Area, and the Washington State Yakima River Conservation Area.
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative
members in their deliberations. This analysis is not part of the legislation nor does it
constitute a statement of legislative intent.
House Bill Analysis -1- HB 2400
Litter Control in State Parks.
The Commission is responsible for waste reduction and recycling, and community restitution for
littering in the state parks. Each campground and day-use area must have waste reduction and
recycling information. Forty campground and day-use areas must have recycling receptacles that
receive daily maintenance from April through September.
Littering is a class 3 civil infraction, a misdemeanor, or a gross misdemeanor, depending on the
volume littered. A court may order 24 hours of community restitution, in addition to other
penalties, if a person litters in a state park. The state park must state an intent to participate in
the community restitution program. No state parks are enrolled in the litter pick up program for
community restitution.
Water Trail Recreation Program.
In 1993, the Legislature created the Water Trail Recreation Program, for users of human and
wind-powered, beachable vessels like kayaks, canoes, or day sailors. As part of its
administration of the program, the Commission plans, constructs, and maintains suitable
facilities for water trail activities; provides maps and public information about areas and facilities
suitable for water trail activities; and works with individuals or organizations who volunteer their
time for the program.
The Commission partners with Washington Water Trails Association, a non-profit organization,
to provide camping opportunities and water trails for kayaks, canoes, and other non-motorized,
beachable boats. Sites are designated at state parks as well as on other lands, such as those
managed by the Departments of Natural Resources and Fish and Wildlife, and city, county, and
local park districts. There are several water trails throughout the state including the Cascadia
Marine Water Trail, Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail, Lakes to Locks Water Trail (Lake
Sammamish through Lake Washington to Shilshole Bay), Lower Columbia Water Trail
(Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean), Northwest Discovery Water Trail, and Willapa Bay
Water Trail. The Cascadia Marine Water Trail stretches along inland waters from Olympia to
Canada, with sites located at 35 state park properties; it was designated a National Recreation
Trail and is one of 16 national Millennium Trails.
Summary of Bill:
The State Parks and Recreation Commission (Commission) is required to establish a statewide
Adopt-a-Waterway Program (Program). Under the Program, adopters can adopt a waterway to
clean, protect, preserve, and contribute to the protection of sensitive wildlife habitats. A
"waterway" is any natural waterway within Washington.
Adopt-a-Waterway Participation.
House Bill Analysis -2- HB 2400
Organizations, businesses, and individuals can participate either as volunteers or by sponsoring
private contracts. Entities may also participate as a coordinated consortium. To participate,
interested parties must submit a proposal to the Commission on a standardized application form.
The Commission will evaluate the proposal for consistency with its policies and rules, and may
accept, reject, or modify proposals. The Commission will assign each participating group a
section of a waterway for a specified period of time.
All participants must be at least 15 years old, parental consent is required for any minor
participants, and one adult supervisor must be present for every eight minor participants. Each
participating group must designate one leader, unless the Commission coordinates a consortium
of participants.
There are some limitations on participation in the Program. The Commission will not accept
proposals that would result in the termination of classified employees. Applicants are not
eligible to participate in the program if the applicant's name endorses or opposes a candidate for
public office, advocates a position on a political issue, references a political party, or contains an
obscene or offensive reference. If an organization, business, or individual fails to comply with
an agreement, the entity will not be eligible to participate in another agreement for five years.
Litter Control and Clean-Up.
The Program must include appropriate litter control and clean-up activities appropriate for each
adopted waterway. The Commission must provide safety guidelines or training for clean-up
participants and appropriate safety equipment. The equipment must be returned at the
termination of the agreement. The Commission will provide the designated leader with trash
bags and access information prior to clean-up activities.
The adopter is required to engage in clean-up activities at least once during the adoption term, or
at least once per year for terms longer than one year. Before participating in a clean-up activity,
the participant is required to complete and sign a standardized registration form provided by the
Commission. The registration form must notify the participants of the risks and responsibilities
assumed by the Commission and the participants.
Waterway Administration.
The Commission will provide a standardized application form, contractual agreement, and
registration form, and approve requests to participate in clean-up activities. Clean-up may be
accomplished through partnerships with volunteer groups and businesses. The Commission may
solicit funding that allows private entities to undertake all or a portion of financing for the
initiatives.
The Commission will recognize the efforts of participants by erecting and maintaining signs
identifying the name of the organization, business, or individual on both ends of the adopted
waterway section. The Commission may charge reasonable fees for the signs.
House Bill Analysis -3- HB 2400
The Commission will administer the Program by: paying required premiums and assessments or
requiring businesses to pay premiums to secure medical-aid benefits for volunteers; maintaining
records of dates of clean-up activities, injuries, and accidents; adopting rules to resolve
participation eligibility; and establishing procedures and guidelines for the Program, including
cash, labor, and in-kind contributions performed or provided by the participants.
When a waterway would require access to a leased property, the Commission will obtain
permission from the property owner(s) leasing the right-of-way before allowing the waterway to
be adopted. The Program will not affect the rights, activities, or agreements with adjacent
landowners, including use of rights-of-ways and crossings.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Requested on January 15, 2024.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is
passed.
House Bill Analysis -4- HB 2400
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