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Marina bill a
boost for Oak Harbor, Island County
Bailey helps Senate Bill 6532 through the House
A measure recently signed
into law by the governor will help certain cities operating
publicly-owned marinas make investments in their facilities. Island
County will benefit from the legislation.
Senate Bill 6532 allows a city with a population between 20,000
and 25,000 people to enter into a reduced-fee lease with the state
Department of Natural Resources for the use of state-owned aquatic lands
if the city operates a publicly-owned marina.
Rep.
Barbara Bailey, R-Oak Harbor, helped the bill through the
House and encouraged her fellow state lawmakers to support it.
“Island County has a lot of shoreline, but relatively few marinas. Its
largest marina is operated by the city of Oak Harbor, but these
facilities have been limited due to budget and state lease issues,” said
Bailey. “This bill will allow the city of Oak Harbor to make
important investments that will benefit not only the
environment, but public recreational needs. This is good for all of
Island County and those who use the marina for various reasons.”
Under the new law, no rent is due for the use of state-owned aquatic
lands for the first ten years under a lease. During subsequent years,
rent is only due for those lands included in a previous aquatic land
marina lease.
Bailey credited the city of Oak Harbor for helping the measure
through the legislative process.
“I want to thank the city of Oak Harbor for its efforts, including Mayor
Jim Slowik who testified for the bill. These efforts will really make a
difference not only for Island County, but other communities around the
state,” said Bailey. “This is a great example of state government
partnering with local government to benefit communities.”
Bailey joined her 10th District seatmate, Sen. Mary Margaret
Haugen, for the bill-signing March 25. The bill becomes effective 90
days after this date.
The 2008 legislative
session adjourned March 13.
# # #
For more information, contact:
John
Handy, Assistant Director: (360) 786-5758
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