HB 1513
In CommitteeHouse
Seashore conservation area
Safeguarding natural resources in the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area.
This status may be delayed. See Action History below for the latest updates.
How does a bill become law?
- Introduced: The bill is filed and assigned a number.
- Committee: A subject-matter committee holds hearings, takes public testimony, and decides whether to advance the bill.
- Floor Vote: The full chamber (House or Senate) debates and votes on the bill.
- Opposite Chamber: The bill repeats the committee and floor vote process in the other chamber.
- Governor: The Governor reviews the bill and decides whether to sign or veto it.
- Signed: The bill has been signed into law.
AI Analysis
This bill formally creates and expands protections for the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area, ensuring at least 40% of ocean beach length is reserved for pedestrian-only use during peak summer months and year-round near salmon spawning areas. It also clarifies definitions and management requirements for beach use and habitat protection.
- Establishes the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area, covering oceanfront lands between Cape Disappointment and Leadbetter Point, Toke Point and Point Chehalis, and Damon Point and the Makah Indian Reservation — from the ordinary high water line to the extreme low tide line.
- Requires that 40% of beach length in each recreation management plan be reserved for pedestrian use only (no motorized vehicles) from April 15 through the day after Labor Day each year.
- Mandates permanent pedestrian-only zones near salmon-bearing streams during spawning season, based on consultation between State Parks and the Department of Fish and Wildlife.
- Adds definitions for key terms like *local government*, *ocean beaches*, *ordinary high water line*, and *pedestrian use* to clarify how the law applies.
- Requires recreation management plans to consider public safety, habitat protection (shorebirds, marine mammals, dunes, vegetation), clam bed management, economic impacts, and public access when designating pedestrian zones.
Who is affected
- Beachgoers and outdoor recreationists — Residents and visitors who use ocean beaches for walking, picnicking, fishing, or other non-motorized activities will have increased access to designated pedestrian-only zones during peak seasons and salmon spawning periods.
- Local governments — Local governments (counties, cities, and towns) must incorporate or exceed the bill’s pedestrian-use requirements into their recreation management plans for ocean beaches.
- State agencies (e.g., State Parks, Fish and Wildlife) — State agencies like Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and Department of Fish and Wildlife will need to coordinate on mapping salmon-bearing streams and setting seasonal restrictions to protect spawning habitat.
- Motorized vehicle users on beaches — Clam diggers, beachcombers, and others who rely on motorized vehicles (e.g., ATVs) for beach access may face seasonal or location-specific restrictions during peak usage or sensitive ecological periods.
Pro/Con Analysis
Stronger case for benefits
Potential Benefits (5)
Reserving 40% of beach length for pedestrian-only use during peak summer months reduces vehicle-pedestrian conflicts, especially for families with children, seniors, and joggers — significantly improving safety for non-motorized users in high-traffic areas.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)Mandates year-round pedestrian-only zones near salmon-bearing streams during spawning season, directly supporting habitat protection for threatened salmon populations — a public good with long-term ecological and cultural benefits for all Washingtonians, especially Indigenous communities reliant on salmon.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)Formally establishes the Washington State Seashore Conservation Area and requires management plans to protect shorebird/marine mammal habitats, dunes, and vegetation — strengthening resilience against erosion and storm surge, which benefits coastal communities by reducing long-term infrastructure and flood risks.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 1 & Sec. 3(3)(c,d,e,h)Requires recreation management plans to prioritize public access and recreational use — reinforcing the public trust doctrine and preventing privatization or over-privatization of beach space, which helps maintain equitable, open access for low- and middle-income residents.
Public SafetyPeopleRef: Sec. 3(3)(b,h)Mandates prudent management of clam beds in recreation planning — supporting sustainable shellfish harvesting and protecting a culturally and economically important resource for coastal communities, including tribal nations and small-scale harvesters.
EnvironmentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(3)(f)
Potential Concerns (5)
Mandates 40% of beach length be reserved for pedestrian-only use during peak summer months (April 15–day after Labor Day), potentially reducing access for clam diggers, beachcombers, and others who rely on motorized vehicles (e.g., ATVs, golf carts) for livelihood or recreation — especially affecting small-scale commercial clam diggers who may need vehicles to reach remote zones.
Business & EmploymentPeopleRef: Sec. 3(1)Requires year-round pedestrian-only zones near salmon-bearing streams during spawning season, which may restrict access for commercial shellfish harvesters who use motorized equipment in those areas — though the seasonal scope is narrower than the summer restriction, the overlap with critical harvesting windows could disproportionately impact low-income, small-scale harvesters.
Business & EmploymentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(2)(a)Requires local governments to incorporate or exceed the 40% pedestrian-only mandate into their recreation management plans, potentially increasing administrative burden and limiting local flexibility in balancing recreational, economic, and safety priorities — though the bill allows local plans to exceed the requirement, it does not provide funding to support implementation.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Sec. 3(1)The bill may require additional staffing or resources for state agencies (State Parks, Fish and Wildlife) to implement mapping, consultation, and enforcement — but no funding is appropriated, potentially shifting costs to local governments through interagency contracts or unfunded mandates.
Local GovernmentLean peopleRef: Fiscal Impact SummaryWhile the bill requires recreation management plans to consider economic impacts, this is a discretionary factor — not a constraint — meaning economic harm to local businesses (e.g., tour operators, rentals, convenience stores) may be outweighed by ecological goals, potentially leading to net negative local economic effects in beach-dependent communities.
Business & EmploymentRef: Sec. 3(3)(g)
Who Is Most Affected
Low- and middle-income beachgoers benefit significantly from improved safety, access, and habitat protection — especially families, seniors, and outdoor recreationists who rely on non-motorized beach use.
Coastal communities with high dependence on tourism and shellfish harvesting may face short-term economic disruption from restricted vehicle access, but benefit long-term from ecosystem resilience and protected clam beds.
Commercial clam diggers and small-scale motorized beach users (e.g., ATV operators, tour guides) face direct access restrictions during key seasons, disproportionately affecting low-revenue, small-scale operators.
State agencies gain clearer authority and mandate for interagency coordination, but face added operational costs without new funding — potentially straining existing resources.
Indigenous communities (e.g., Makah, Coastal tribes) benefit from habitat protections that support salmon recovery — a culturally vital resource — and formal inclusion in consultation processes, though the bill does not guarantee co-management authority.